Learning Through Sports' character development program, STAR Sportsmanship won a BESSIE Award as best physical education software for upper elementary students. STAR Sportsmanship is an interactive learning program designed to teach sportsmanship to six through 14-year-old boys and girls.
“We are pleased to win the BESSIE award for it recognizes excellent learning software products that have a positive impact for children,” said Brian Shulman, founder and CEO of Learning Through Sports. “It is gratifying to be recognized for creating a learning resource that encourages children to be respectful of others, to enjoy sports and to have a positive competitive spirit.”
STAR Sportsmanship was conceived by founder and CEO of Learning Through Sports, Brian Shulman. A former captain for the 1988 SEC Champion Auburn Football team, Shulman created STAR Sportsmanship after interactions with his own children, their coaches and their teachers alerted him to the need for an interactive learning program about good sportsmanship. In addition to creating STAR Sportsmanship, Learning Through Sports publishes Kids College©, an online program that uses sports to teach standards-based lessons in language arts and mathematics.
A special edition of STAR Sportsmanship is sponsored by the Mountain West Conference (www.TheMWC.com) as part of its Sportsmanship Initiative and funding from the Mountain West Conference (MWC) made STAR Sportsmanship available for free to thousands of K-8 children attending MWC events. “The MWC Sportsmanship Initiative is an opportunity for the Conference and its membership to assume a leadership role,” said Commissioner Craig Thompson. “Not only can we be extremely successful competitively, but also we can go about the business of competition in a first-class fashion.”
Sports personalities Tony Gwynn, Jordan Adams, Mike Gottfried and Commissioner Craig Thompson have donated their time to provide inspiring video messages on fair play and good sportsmanship on and off the field.
The 11th Annual Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIE) are sponsored by the ComputED Learning Center in San Diego, Calif. The Awards recognize innovative and content-rich educational programs and websites that represent the best in educational technology. All submitted titles are made available to school districts, teachers, and the public through ComputED and the Educational Software Preview Service of San Diego Center for Educational Technology (a nonprofit organization).
