JA x PS43 Foundation STEM Day Sparks Big Dreams for Central Indiana Students

Basketball + Data = STEM lightbulbs igniting!

Author: Mariah Maier
Work Readiness
Published: Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025

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An incredible event took place earlier this week at William Penn Middle School! Junior Achievement of Central Indiana (JACI) teamed up with NBA star Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation to host an unforgettable STEM Day—and wow, did it deliver!

More than 400 students spent the day diving into hands-on activities, meeting STEM professionals, and discovering how science, technology, engineering, and math connect to real-world careers. The energy was electric as students explored everything from coding to data analytics.

One of the day’s biggest highlights? The PS43 Data Dunkers program—a super cool initiative that teaches data literacy through basketball analytics. Isaac Cloran from Decimal led an engaging session showing students how numbers drive decisions in sports--making math lessons and interest in STEM roles more memorable and approachable for students!

Beyond Data Dunkers, students heard from inspiring speakers and participated in interactive workshops designed to spark curiosity and confidence. These experiences weren’t just about learning—they were about helping students see themselves as future innovators and problem-solvers.

Dakota Whyte, Executive Director of The PS43 Foundation, summed it up perfectly:

“STEM education is critical for preparing young people for a successful future. Through partnerships like this, we’re making STEM accessible, exciting, and relevant for every student.”

This event marks the beginning of a powerful collaboration between JACI and PS43, with more programs and events on the horizon to empower youth across Central Indiana.

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