Greenwood Fifth Graders Explore College Life at Samford University

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fifth grade students from Greenwood Elementary School took their learning beyond the classroom, visiting Samford University to explore the intersection of athletics and academics.

The field trip, themed "STEM + Sports," allowed the Greenwood Dragons to engage in science, technology, engineering and math activities on the university campus. The program was designed to show students how STEM principles apply to real-world scenarios, including the physics and data analytics used in competitive sports.

Following their academic exploration, the students cheered on the Samford women’s basketball team. For many scholars, the visit provided a firsthand look at collegiate life and the opportunities available through higher education.

"STEM and sports are a winning combo," school officials said. "Our fifth grade Greenwood Dragons explored STEM on campus and cheered on Samford’s women’s basketball team. Brains, basketball and big college dreams!"

The initiative is part of the school's ongoing effort to expose elementary students to various career paths and university environments early in their academic journeys. By combining the excitement of a live sporting event with educational workshops, administrators hope to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers and collegiate athletes.