Jyneece Conway-Leyman, an eighth-grader at Thornburg Middle School, said she wasn't a big hockey fan but has since become more interested in the sport by what she's learned, thanks to Future Goals.
"It's a different subject, I guess you could say," said Conway-Leynam, who wants to be a mechanical engineer. "It's like a hockey subject, and I feel that you get more in depth into what hockey is. You think hockey, oh, you're just taking a stick and hitting a puck. But in reality, it's more difficult than that. You have to have better precisions and stuff like that."
With assistance from Haley Skarupa, a forward on the U.S. National Women's Team who won a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Conway-Leyman also learned Wednesday about stick handling and shooting. Capitals mascot Slapshot, Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and New Jersey Devils mascot N.J. Devil added to the fun.
"I've never seen a professional sport get more involved in what is a critically-needed area of our education system or society, the STEM issue," said Rep. John Katko of New York, who is co-chairman of the Congressional Hockey Caucus. "I think it's fantastic. We have slipped so far on the world stage as far as STEM competency, and things like this can help bring it back."