Philadelphia, PA – May 15, 2025 – Boeing and the nonprofit, Learn Fresh, teamed up to host the 2025 MLB Players STEM League Regional Tournament in Philadelphia. Held at the TGR Learning Lab, the event featured 32 students from the Northeast region competing for the championship title. The game, created by Learn Fresh in partnership with the MLB Players Trust, is a baseball-inspired program that combines the excitement of sports with core math and life skills.
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization that provides innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. Boeing, a global leader in aerospace, is committed to supporting the next generation through education initiatives that spark curiosity and critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in the future workforce.
This partnership, launched earlier this year, is focused on expanding access to STEM education across the greater Philadelphia region. With Boeing’s support, the MLB Players STEM League has been implemented in local schools and after-school programs.
The tournament kicked off Thursday afternoon with welcoming remarks from Learn Fresh and Boeing representatives. The competition followed a round-robin format, with 15-minute games played in teams of two. Using pre-drafted player cards, students strategized their batting lineups before the games kicked off. Teams competed against each other until only one was left to claim the title of 2025 Philadelphia Regional Champion.
One educator reflected on the program’s broader impact: “I think this activity has been great for the kids, especially in bringing different communities together in one place. [MLB Players STEM League] is an amazing program, and I think these types of games and initiatives are great for students and communities to learn something new and meet new people.”
Students also highlighted how the game helped sharpen their fast facts and capture their attention in new ways: “Personally, I usually get distracted while playing board games, so I actually had to concentrate for once while playing it. It was fun and overall I like the game!”
In addition to the tournament, students had a special opportunity to meet the Philadelphia Phillies' official service dog through an activation with the Warrior Canine Connection. This nonprofit trains service dogs to assist veterans coping with post-traumatic stress and brain injuries.
The MLB Players STEM League was developed by Learn Fresh in collaboration with the Major League Baseball Players Trust. The program merges students’ passion for baseball with STEM learning. It engages students with baseball-themed board gameplay and a curriculum that emphasizes statistics, strategy, and data-driven decision-making.
In addition to supporting the Regional Tournament, Boeing sponsored Phoenix Booker, a sixth-grade student from St. Malachy School in Philadelphia, to compete in the 2025 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship. Held in Scottsdale, AZ, during MLB’s spring training in March, the event brought together students from across the U.S., Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil.
“From the start, we’ve been thrilled about this partnership,” said Nick Monzi, CEO and co-founder of Learn Fresh. “This tournament showcases the energy and potential this program brings to students across Philadelphia. With Boeing’s support, we’re excited to continue expanding access to high-impact, engaging STEM education opportunities.”
“Interest in STEM begins with inspiration,” said Boeing Global Engagement community investor, Michele Hengey. “The MLB Players STEM League Math Tournament provides real hands-on opportunities for young students to engage in STEM and be inspired. Congratulations to all the students who competed in the tournament. Their hard work and enthusiasm for STEM inspires us.”
About Learn Fresh:
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. Through community, play, and rigorous exploration, we leverage students’ passion for sports and entertainment to inspire their STEM learning and foster essential life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Our programs are explicitly focused on students living in low-income communities. We believe all students deserve a quality and engaging education. To date, our programming has engaged nearly 1 million students across the US and beyond. Programs include NBA Math Hoops, MLB Players STEM League, MLS STEM Goals, and EcoTour. More information can be found at www.learnfresh.org.
About Boeing:
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.