Paving the Way for a Brighter Future
“I can do more than stuff a ball through a hoop... my greatest asset is my mind.”
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made a name for himself with his unblockable Skyhook shot and rode it to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Kareem’s mantra is: “I can do more than shoot a ball through a hoop, my greatest asset is my mind”. Growing up under the two biggest media spotlights in the world (New York and Los Angeles) during the Civil Rights era as quite literally the most visible black man in the country has given Kareem a unique perspective on America’s political and social landscape. This has led him to make a significant impact on the under-served youth of the United States. When writing his award-winning children’s book, What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors, he came across statistics showing that 92% of boys and 97% of girls lose interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) subjects if not actively engaged in STEAM by the 5th grade. Today more than 90% of high paying jobs are based in STEAM but less than 16% of U.S. college graduates are in these fields.
The Skyhook Foundation wants to pass the ball to a new generation and level the playing field by providing outdoor environmental STEAM education in under-served communities to Give Kids a Shot That Can’t Be Blocked. In 2012 former Superintendent of Education Tom Torlekson named Kareem STEAM Ambassador of California.
STEAM Facts
92% of boys and 97% of girls lose interest in STEAM if not engaged by the 5th grade (Dr. Kenneth Wesson, Educational Consultant: Neuroscience)
People in STEAM fields can expect to earn 26% more money on average and be less likely to experience job loss.
Currently only 16% of U.S. bachelor’s degrees will specialize in STEAM.
Out of 65 countries, American students score 17th in science and 25th in math ability (The U.S. Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development).
College STEAM majors out-earn
other college grads.The STEAM jobs market grew 45% in 2018. 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations require significant mathematics or science preparation.