EA Sports, Discovery Education and NFLPA aim to get kids more involved in STEAM studies.

The National Football League Players Association has partnered with EA Sports and Discovery Education to host an interactive live virtual field trip today for students across the U.S.

The Magic of Madden Virtual Field Trip offers middle school students (grades 5-9) the opportunity to go behind the scenes at EA Sports’ Tiburon Studios in Orlando, Fla., to explore the science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) powering today’s “Madden NFL” series. Available at no cost, the virtual tour will also introduce students to EA Sports’ engineers, animators, designers, analysts and producers to discuss their career paths and the applications of STEAM in bringing the video game to life.

Students will also get a firsthand look at motion capture technology–the process used to record movements of objects or people to animate digital character models. Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins will join the event to answer questions submitted by participating students.

“The NFLPA is about connecting businesses with sports and the players themselves,” says Ahmad Nassar, president, NFL Players Inc. “This successful partnership is a perfect example of thinking outside the box to connect education with NFL players. Students learn directly from players, not only through the Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers platform, but through interactions with players who bring the concepts to life.”

The Magic of Madden Virtual Field Trip is part of the NFLPA, EA Sports and Discovery Education’s Madden NFL: Football by the Numbers program, which is an educational initiative that taps into children’s excitement about football and video games to kindle a passion for math and science. The program includes digital learning games that teach math and science concepts using “Madden NFL” highlights.

“We can’t wait to open our doors and show students out studio, introduce them to some of our experts and open their eyes to what goes into making our video games,” says Daryl Holt, vice present and head of operations, EA Tiburon. “If this Virtual Field Trip encourages students to get more involved in STEAM in any way, then we will consider it a great success.”

Classrooms are able to register for the 45-minute event and submit questions for Cousins and EA Sports experts at FootballByTheNumbers.DiscoveryEducation.com.

The virtual field trip will take place today at 1p.m. EST.