On March 9, 2020, 16,000 students will experience a field trip they'll never forget.

Their hosts: the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club.  And the field trip is the Ducks' unique "First Flight Field Trip".

As part of the Ducks' free S.C.O.R.E. program, the students, grades 3-6, will be visiting the Honda Center.   In the context of hockey, they'll be learning science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts.

Since 2005, the Ducks have offered this award-winning educational initiative to local schools.  S.C.O.R.E. stands for "Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation and Education".  And the "First Flight Field Trip" is an initiative of the Ducks' In-Class Education Program.

Annually, the Ducks come up with a hockey-related theme for the "First Flight Field Trip".  This year's is "Light the Lamp", in which students will be exploring electrical circuits and creative ways to design a red goal light.

Jason Cooper (right) with fellow Anaheim Ducks Fan Development Marketing Manager Molly Schaus and Fan Development Marketing Coordinator Gabriel Alamillo during the 2018 California STEAM Symposium.

Jason Cooper is the Anaheim Ducks' Manager of Fan Development Marketing.  In a 2019 episode of Over Coffee®, we talked about the S.C.O.R.E. program and some of its other initiatives, including the "Reading is the Goal" program.

And for this 2020 update, Jason offered a closer look at the "First Flight Field Trip"!  He offered a preview of what will be happening at Honda Center on March 9th, took us behind the scenes for a look at the preparations, and even previewed the 2021 field trip (for which, if you're a teacher or other education professional, you're invited to contact the S.C.O.R.E. program NOW!  They book up early and have a waitlist, starting in August).

The Anaheim Ducks' Zamboni machine, on display during California STEAM Symposium 2019.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you will hear:


What first inspired Jason, in his own STEAM education journey;


What students can expect to encounter, when they attend this year's First Flight Field Trip;


How educators who can't bring their classes on this year's filled-to-capacity field trip can get on the list for the 2021 excursion;


How the community provided resources to support this year's First Flight Field Trip;


And, a "sneak preview" of the 2021 trip, plus an explanation of the theme!;


How to get involved, if you'd like to volunteer to help inspire the next generation;


One of the best creative challenges involved in planning this year's field trip;


What last year's "Build a Better Puck" field trip challenge was like for Jason, the students--and the Ducks