FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Sarah Brewster
(816) 842-8111 or sarah@trozzolo.com
Joy Torchia
(816) 932-1045 or jtorchia@kauffman.org
Barbara Walls
(540) 428-2988 or marketing@hotlavasoftware.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – July 15, 2008 – More than one competition will take place at the local T-Bones games this summer. The new Sports Bytes Competition, entering the field this July, is sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and powered by Hot Lava Software.
The Sports Bytes Competition will engage the young fans in the crowd by sending them mathematics, engineering, technology, and science questions via their cell phones. Combining fun with technology, fans will learn the science behind one of America’s favorite pastimes. For example, while the players are warming up for the next inning, fans can learn about the impact of gravity and friction on a baseball’s path.
The in-game promotions will build excitement around science education during July and August home games. The Sports Bytes professor – a quirky-looking, crazy-haired announcer – will leap up on the dugout and guide the crowd through the sports-related science quiz. The announcer will ask the fans a question: “Which ball has the slower speed when thrown: a baseball or a softball?” In response, kids will text either “sporta” for baseball or “sportb” for softball to 83960. They will then receive a response text with the correct answer as well as a link that provides them access to other Sports Bytes questions. Sports Bytes enthusiasts can access the questions anytime from their mobile phones by texting “sport” to 83960.
“We are capitalizing on young fans’ love for cell phones by using them as a learning tool,” said Merrilea J. Mayo, Ph.D., director, Future of Learning Initiatives for the Kauffman Foundation. “This new competition allows us to reach and inspire kids in a unique way. Our hope is that they learn how exciting science can be and potentially explore a career in the field.”
The kids who answer at least one Sports Bytes question correctly are entered into a drawing to win a prize pack, which is given out later in the game. With baseball players in mind, the prize pack will include free tickets to an upcoming T-Bones game, signed baseballs, a first pitch certificate, a kajeet mobile phone, and T-Bones merchandise.
In addition to the T-Bones, the Frederick Keys, Aberdeen Ironbirds, Bowie Baysox, Wilmington Blue Rocks and Delmarva Shorebirds are participating in the in-game promotions, along with the D.C. United Soccer Team.
About the Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org
About Hot Lava Software, Inc.
Hot Lava Software Inc. is the leading provider of mobile authoring, publishing, delivery and tracking solutions. Using Hot Lava Software’s content development and publishing system (LMA) integrated with the Hot Lava Mobile Delivery and Tracking System TM (MDTS) allows organizations to have the tools and knowledge needed to launch and track mobile initiatives faster, with more cost efficiency. Hot Lava Software provides mobile content solutions and a mobile content design, authoring and publishing solution to corporations, government and universities around the world. More information is available at http://www.hotlavasoftware.com/
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