Immersive learning experiences in our Sports & S.T.E.A.M Collective Explore
Sports & S.T.E.A.M. Collective
Our Sports & STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Collective provides active-learning opportunities for children and youth who are often marginalized from participation in public and private programs by economic and social factors. For more information on any of these programs, please contact BL-ASHE Director Rose Hunter, at rosehunter@buckleonard.org
UNDEFEATED: The Buck Leonard Experience
An immersive Negro Leagues Baseball Virtual Reality experience, introducing “Baseball’s Greatest Gentleman,” Hall of Famer Buck Leonard like you’ve never seen! Featuring “Barnstormers: Determined to Win” — An award-winning VR experience where players face-off against Negro Leagues baseball legends, while bearing witness to the unique challenge of playing baseball during the time of racial segregation.
As seen at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival! Developed by Derek Ham, Ph.D. – Dept. Head at NC State School of Design. Brought to locations in and around NC with the Mobile VR Learning Lab 360. Also! Augmented Reality-enhanced pop-up exhibit featuring Buck Leonard. Artifacts come to life … See yourself in the game … Even take a selfie with Buck! Anything is possible in the metaverse! Created in partnership with the NC State University School of Design.
Learn more and book UNDEFEATED for your event: Community@BuckLeonard.org
Baseball Ice Cream & Books
Developed by BL-ASHE Director Rose Hunter (MA, EDU), the Baseball, Ice Cream and Books (BIBS) pilot is an organic, community-based, parent/child program that promotes early childhood language, literacy, and best practices for learning. Empirical research validated by leaders in early education, shows that children residing in low wealth, at-risk living environments (like much of Edgecombe and Nash counties) are less likely to receive the early childhood language and cognitive enrichment experiences that create a positive foundation for lifelong learning.
Based around an extensive in-home, read-aloud program that uses ice cream and nutritious snacks as motivation and reward, BIBS is offered primarily to preschool aged kids and families of the Buck Leonard RBI Baseball League. From Mother Goose, to Negro Leagues Baseball, children will listen to at least 30 age-appropriate storybooks, read and re-read by their parents in the comfort of their own homes. The program includes several other hands-on learning “episodes”, from library visits, to exploring the ballfield.
The Buck Leonard Community Resource & Learning Center
Starting with a generous in-kind donation of over 2,500 books from author Stan & illustrator Donna Colson, our Collection, has grown to include well over 3,000 books about Negro Leagues Baseball and topics of African American and local history.
The majority of the collection has been carefully curated for young learners, from preschool, through young adulthood. Our library includes everything from toddler-appropriate picture and board books to reference materials for the most serious Negro Leagues Baseball research projects.
Currently available by appointment – and often sampled at the ballpark for “Baseball, Ice Cream & Books” the collection will eventually be a feature of The Buck Leonard Community Resource & Learning Center at The Mitchell House. Here, we will empower young writers and artists with the inspiration, resources and support they need to contribute to the legacy of the Negro Leagues.
S.T.E.A.M. Excursion Program
Aimed at making learning fun, our excursion and field trip program enables children to gain tangible learning experiences by observing and engaging with STEAM in real-world settings. Whether it’s exploring a honeybee farm with a local farmer, observing the inner-workings of the wastewater treatment plant, or participating in activities at science museums, we know that out-of-classroom, hands-on, and observational learning opportunities are critical to the healthy cognitive development of our youth.
Intergenerational Family Coding Lab
Piloted in 2019 with a grant from Self Development of People (a special Ministry Of The Presbyterian Church), this program seeks to help multi-generational families overcome the systematic conditions of poverty, by creating fluency in digital technology, and a pathway to employment and economic self-sufficiency.
During a series of six, three-hour computer labs, participating families start by learning fundamental computing and internet basics, before an introduction to computer programming, using the MIT-developed Scratch Coding Program. The program concludes with training in the Javascript coding language, career path research, and an introduction to e-commerce.
With parents leading the way, this program helps participants learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.
