Panasonic and Olympic champion to show STEM innovations across Japan

Set to premiere on the 15th February 2024 at 1pm ET and available on-demand, Panasonic’s new Innovators for Impact Virtual Field Trip (VFT) aims to support educators in inspiring student innovation in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) and offers a virtual journey to Japan with Katie Ledecky.

Katie Ledecky, a 3-time Olympian, 21-time World Champion, and 10-time Olympic medallist, champions STEM education. The Innovators for Impact VFT will feature Katie and a student as they meet and interact with Panasonic's STEM specialists who are pioneering innovative ways to live and work for the present and future.

“Any opportunity I have in life to inspire educators and students to live more sustainably, I’m going to take it,” said Katie Ledecky. “It was exciting to explore Panasonic’s innovations in its global headquarters in Japan and then be able to share that experience to help engage educators and students. From solar power to smart mobility, furthering STEM education and providing equal access to students can help today’s youth realise their impact.”

The Innovators for Impact Virtual Field Trip will demonstrate how Panasonic merges innovation with impact, equipping students with the understanding to connect their school learning to real-world applications. Participants will embark on a virtual exploration to learn about sustainable smart towns, various energy systems, and smart mobility.

An accompanying educator guide offers teachers resources and classroom activities to enhance the virtual field trip experience, while a Family Activity and Digital Lesson Bundle extends the learning with additional resources that delve into insights from the Innovators for Impact Virtual Field Trip.

“Panasonic was founded to have a positive impact on society. For over 100 years, we’ve lived by this mission, building products designed to enhance the human experience. The STEM Forward program is an excellent example of this effort and how people are integral to our success – including the students who will be the professionals of tomorrow,” said Megan Myungwon Lee, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “We are proud to continue to work alongside Katie Ledecky to show today’s educators and learners how they can have a positive impact on the world through STEM.”

In 2022, Katie Ledecky partnered with Panasonic to initiate the STEM Forward programme with Discovery Education, hosting the Winning with STEM Virtual Field Trip, which provided educators and students with a tour of five of Panasonic’s Innovation Centres across North America. STEM Forward connects educators and students to the transformative power of technology through standards-aligned resources at no cost, promoting the role of technology in improving lives and making the world a better place. Additionally, STEM Forward includes special Virtual Field Trips suitable for diverse learning environments.

"STEM innovation is the not-so-secret secret behind a better world. We are thrilled to connect today’s students to inspirational leaders, like Panasonic and STEM advocate Katie Ledecky, as they discover where STEM fits in their world and their plans for their futures,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. 

Further information about STEM Forward is available at stemforward.discoveryeducation.com or within Discovery Education Experience, the award-winning K-12 learning platform.