The students in Marcel Lopez's class at the NFL Youth Education Town Academy in Phoenix are using a new technique when it comes to learning high school English.

“When you have an event like the Super Bowl that creates as much excitement as it does, and you can bring that into the classroom, the kids are going to get excited,” Lopez said.

In addition to learning what's in their English books, these students are participating in the "Super Learning in a Super State Program." The academic curriculum incorporates the Super Bowl into Arizona History, Geography and much more.

“There are math components that deal with how people can fit in the stadium and there are music components with how they come up with the songs,” Lopez said. “So it’s going to be neat for them to watch the Super Bowl and say that I learned that in class.”

“I thought it was actually interesting because they connected things we learned in class, to outside things like in the State of Arizona, to questions on the AIMS test,” said sophomore Donovan Washington.

Mr. Lopez said students like Washington are not only getting a chance to add something fun into their studies, but the program also meets Arizona academic standards

“Super Bowl, who knows when it’s going to come back, but now that it’s here, it’s great to incorporate as much as possible,” Lopez said.

As for freshman student Angelique Celaya, she feels lucky to be involved in the program.

“I think other schools should do this because it’s more exciting, and you have fun when you’re doing it,” Celaya said.

The NFL Youth Education Town Academy was created in South Phoenix after Arizona hosted Super Bowl 30 back in 1996.

It was a part of the NFL’S efforts to construct educational facilities in host communities long after the big game leaves their state.