Far Hills, N.J. – Science, technology, engineering and math – also known as STEM – are as critical to golf as club head speed, ball trajectory, Stimpmeters and turfgrass conditioning. To demonstrate the importance of STEM in a young person’s educational experience and potential career path, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Chevron today announced a new partnership designed to encourage students in these specific academic disciplines through the world of golf.
“Some of the best teachable moments happen outside the confines of the classroom,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager. “It’s our hope that this new partnership with Chevron will inspire young students to consider science, technology, engineering and math by providing fun, engaging and practical learning experiences centered around golf.”
As part of the new, multi-year agreement, Chevron will become an official partner of the USGA. Together, the USGA and Chevron will create content and unique experiences that showcase the science behind many of the USGA’s core functions, including course setup, equipment testing and soil management/plant sciences research. The partnership will also promote STEM, while introducing young people to many of the fundamental elements of the game.
Chevron’s STEM Zone™ exhibit, one of the first showcases of the new partnership, will be featured at this week’s U.S. Open Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. This unique, student-friendly experience highlights the science of golf through a variety of learning stations, including one where students gain hands-on experience in aerodynamics and motion to learn how velocity and lift affect a golf ball. The exhibit will also demonstrate how to apply slope and acceleration to measure speed on the putting green through the use of a Stimpmeter®.
The STEM Zone exhibit will also contain a fully-equipped mock television studio so students can get a first-hand understanding about broadcast and media technology used to produce a golf broadcast.
Additionally, the USGA’s new partnership will include support for Chevron’s EAGLES FOR EDUCATION® program through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. Through this charitable initiative, Chevron and the USGA will contribute $10,000 for every eagle scored during the three USGA championships to help fund golf-related educational programs, with a total annual minimum commitment of $500,000.
The need to invest in STEM education is growing across the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 15 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations in 2014 will require science or math knowledge. Chevron’s support of education, especially in the critically-important areas of science and math, is industry-leading and will be expanded through its partnership with the USGA. In the United States, Chevron has invested nearly $100 million in education over the past three years alone.
“By partnering with the United States Golf Association, we hope to make STEM more engaging and fun,” said Linda Padon, general manager of corporate public policy for Chevron. ”Making STEM more appealing to students now will help us meet the increasing demand for the STEM jobs of the future.”
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
About the USGA
The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.
The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.