A dozen Catholic schools and many teachers at those schools are among the 61 Ohio schools and 672 teachers who received the Governor?s Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2017-2018 school year.
Each school will receive a special Governor's Award certificate and each teacher will receive a complimentary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science. The Technology Division of the Ohio Development Services Agency funded the program.
Diocesan schools earning the designation are Holy Trinity, Avon; St. Raphael, Bay Village; Notre Dame School, Chardon; Academy of St. Bartholomew, Middleburg Heights; Beaumont School, Cleveland Heights; St. Jude School, Elyria; St. Francis of Assisi School, Gates Mills; St. Paschal Baylon School, Highland Heights; St. Francis Xavier School, Medina; St. Peter School, North Ridgeville; Incarnate Word Academy, Parma Heights; and St. Rita School, Solon.
For a complete statewide list of schools and teachers receiving the Thomas Edison Awards, visit ohiosci.org/thomas-edison.
The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are:
- To conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students
- Qualify two or more of these students for one of the Academy's 17 district science days
- Have students participate in at least one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom such as State Science Day, Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair, Science Olympiad, B-Wiser, visits to museums, mentorship programs, and extended field trips and other structured STEM-related youth activities
- Convince external STEM professionals how and to what extent the school?s program met the academy?s definition of STEM education.
The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both the mastery and integration of science technology, engineering, and mathematics for all PK-12 students. It incorporates scientific inquiry and technological design through student-focused, project-based curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/collaboration, creativity/innovation, critical thinking and problem solving.
First established in 1985, the Governor?s Thomas Edison Awards recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.
?These schools and teachers promote and encourage student-focused, inquiry-based, science research,? said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy?s CEO. ?Each of the awardees demonstrates a commitment to providing hands-on learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting and they value the rigor of competing at District and State Science Day.?
The Ohio Academy of Science initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation with The governor?s office and the Technology Division of The Ohio Development Services Agency to recognize schools and teachers for excellence in STEM education and scientific student research.
More than 30 professionals representing STEM employers from business, industry, government, and academia evaluated the applications in a review process.
The Ohio Academy of Science was founded in 1891. Visit ohiosci.org for more information.