New York Yacht Club American Magic and New England Science & Sailing (NESS) are delighted to unveil their newly released “Sail Locker” of experiential activities and resources to bring the technology behind American Magic into the classroom.
The digital “Sail Locker” includes a comprehensive suite of K-8 activities and content, utilizing American Magic’s campaign as a dynamic learning platform to advance students’ academic achievements and enrich social-emotional development. These resources are tailored for schools and community sailing programs across the United States to increase access to sailing for all youth and ignite their passion for learning in innovative and unprecedented ways.
“The partnership between the American Magic America’s Cup team and NESS, resulting in the Sail Locker and curricular units, uniquely brings the power of high-tech and high-performance sailing together with experiential education to power all students’ learning,” said NESS CEO Eric Isselhardt, PhD. “This amazing partnership brings opportunity to students far beyond the sailing racecourse by building students’ perseverance and team skills. The American Magic team and NESS are excited to share the Sail Locker and curricular units with students worldwide!”
By participating in these educational resources, students can explore concepts of engineering and its importance in sailing, identify ways to remove marine debris from waterways while discovering how American Magic is tackling this task, investigate the engineering design cycle that leads to constant advances in sailing and performance, and develop success skills – such as confidence, perseverance, and teamwork.
“By harnessing the excitement of sailing and technology, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovative problem solvers,” said Mike Cazer, CEO, NYYC American Magic. “Through the Sail Locker initiative, we are thrilled to share our passion for the sport and its educational opportunities with students everywhere.”
The “Sail Locker” is accessible for free at NESSF.org/AmericanMagic. More activities and resources will be added to the suite leading up to the 37th America’s Cup in September and October 2024.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND SCIENCE & SAILING
New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
ABOUT NEW YORK YACHT CLUB AMERICAN MAGIC
American Magic is building a high-performance sailing franchise in the United States with a dual mandate to win the America’s Cup and elevate sailing in America. Formed in 2017, New York Yacht Club American Magic combines two highly successful American racing programs, Bella Mente Racing and Quantum Racing, with one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. All are united by a determination to regain the America’s Cup, reconnect the American sailing base with the premier event in the sport, and elevate the quality of competitive sailing in the United States.