CHARLOTTE, NC – July 15, 2026 – Global nonprofit Learn Fresh and Major League Soccer (MLS) will welcome 12 students from across the United States to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the inaugural MLS STEM Goals National Championship. Held during MLS All-Star Week, the three-day competition celebrates the intersection of soccer and STEM education. In addition to competing, participants will engage in STEM activations, a local museum visit, and All-Star industry events throughout the city.
Taking place during a landmark summer for soccer in the United States, the championship reflects the sport's growing momentum while demonstrating how soccer can inspire meaningful learning opportunities beyond the pitch.
Launched in 2024, MLS STEM Goals combines authentic MLS statistics and branding with standards-aligned STEM curriculum. The soccer-inspired board game helps students in grades 4–8 build math, science, technology, and engineering skills through play. Students answer questions to move across the field, ultimately using real team data to attempt shots and score goals. The program is designed to improve students' critical-thinking skills and overall academic confidence.
The National Championship is the first culminating event for the program, bringing together top participants from across the country to compete on a premier stage. Criteria for selection included program participation and location in an MLS market. Finalists were chosen based on their performance in their local classroom throughout the season, as well as their demonstrated sportsmanship.
"Hosting our first-ever MLS STEM Goals National Championship is an exciting moment for this growing program," said Nick Monzi, CEO & Co-Founder, Learn Fresh. "Bringing students from across the country together during MLS All-Star Week celebrates their hard work throughout the year while highlighting the incredible opportunities that sports can create for learning."
Held July 27–30 in Charlotte, NC, the National Championship will feature multiple rounds of tournament play, hands-on STEM activations, a local museum experience, and opportunities for students and their chaperones to participate in MLS All-Star Week festivities, including the Skills Challenge.
Brisa Reza, an educator with Communities In Schools of Brazoria County, Texas, has been selected to receive this year’s Outstanding Educator Award. The award recognizes educators for their exceptional commitment to supporting students through the MLS STEM Goals program and creating meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
As soccer continues to grow in popularity across the United States, MLS STEM Goals builds on Learn Fresh's portfolio of sport-inspired STEM programs, expanding the organization's educational approach to a new audience of soccer fans and learning communities nationwide.
The inaugural National Championship marks a major milestone in the Learn Fresh and MLS partnership, highlighting their shared commitment to expanding access to engaging STEM experiences and celebrating student achievement through sports.
2026 MLS STEM Goals National Championship Participants:
Schools and organizations interested in bringing MLS STEM Goals to their students can learn more here.
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 over 1.5 million students across the US and beyond. Programs include NBA Math Hoops, MLB Players STEM League, and MLS STEM Goals. More information can be found at www.learnfresh.org.
About MLS STEM Goals:
MLS STEM Goals integrates customizable, grade-aligned STEM content, along with real MLS team statistics, into a soccer-themed board game and community program. Students represent a real MLS team in their class, competing in a series of games throughout a STEM soccer “season.” The program can be augmented with a series of community experiences, including educator training, STEM workshops and career events, and regional championship events featuring MLS STEM Goals game. Curricula featured in the game is currently designed for students in grades 4-8, and can be easily customized by individual educators.