A program mixing soccer skill drills and science and math lessons used by several Riverside County school districts has helped to reduce lunchtime conflicts, Inland officials say, mirroring a trend seen in Bakersfield schools.

“What we offer is an innovative and engaging way for kids to learn about key science topics while also having fun and keeping active,” said Nick Telford, an owner of Coast 2 Coast Coaching, which runs Soccer & STEM programs at about 1,000 low-income schools in California, Texas and Florida.

The structured activity keeps students interested and learning and, Telford said, heads off the schoolyard squabbles that can arise during free play.

The lessons in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STEM – were designed by Ricardo Valerdi, an associate professor of systems and engineering at the University of Arizona. Valerdi also designed the L.A. Galaxy soccer team’s Science of Soccer program, which offers teachers resources for using soccer to teach STEM subjects.

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EDUCATION: Program mixes soccer, science lessons