Cambridge Intermediate School and Cambridge Primary School STEM classrooms were both awarded a $5,000 grant from Batelle. At CIS, STEM teacher Michelle Johnston applied for the grant while computer teacher Melinda Dyer wrote for the grant at CPS.
Primary computer teacher Melinda Dyer teaches students how to apply STEM skills to everyday situations like visiting the pumpkin patch. The Cambridge City School District schools were two of only three schools in Guernsey County to earn the award. Battelle funded 233 grants to schools that will impact more than 68,000 Ohio students.
For the third year, Battelle funded new STEM education experiences through the Ohio STEM Learning Network STEM Classroom Grants. Funded projects span 161 public schools across the state. In total, $1,100,000 will reach students in one of every seven school districts (130) across 60 Ohio counties.
“A few years ago, we made an investment into STEM Education at the High School and Middle School buildings and then expanded that commitment to STEM programs at the Intermediate and Primary schools,” Cambridge Superintendent Dan Coffman pointed out. “Michelle and Melinda have embraced their roles and are doing a great job educating our youngest students in the STEM areas.
“Earning these competitive grants not only supports the programs financially, it also is an indication of the quality of the STEM education we are providing our students,” Coffman continued. “We also want to acknowledge Battelle and the Ohio STEM Learning Network for their commitment to local programs.”
Johnston teaches all of the students at CIS (grades 3-5) who attend STEM class once a week as part of their “specials” rotation. The STEM curriculum at CIS focuses on the practical application of science, technology, engineering, and math. The students are learning block coding, engineering basics, movement and mechanics, robotics and sensors, and other related subjects.
Intermediate School STEM teacher Michelle Johnston teaches students unplugged programing during a recent STEM class. At CPS, Dyer visits each classroom to teach the students basic computer skills, at first, but quickly begins to challenge students with basic programing and robotics lessons. She also encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
In addition to the STEM classroom at the Intermediate School and the computer classes at the Primary School, Cambridge High School, and Cambridge Middle School each feature a STEM Lab and offer several STEM classes that include robotics, manufacturing, computer programing, and drone piloting.
Tom Hannon is the High School STEM teacher and Karen Theodosopoulos is the High School computer science teacher. Angela Hannon is the Middle School STEM teacher.
The Ohio STEM Learning Network is committed to helping the State of Ohio inspire and train the next generation of innovative leaders. Headquartered in Columbus, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers at major technology centers and national laboratories around the world.
“Every student should have access to the kind of quality STEM education that drives opportunity for families and leads to new jobs in their local communities” said Kelly Gaier Evans, Director of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. “This program connects champions of STEM in local communities to a broad and deep network of STEM schools, STEM resources, and peer-educators.”
The grant program fosters the growth of the Ohio STEM Learning Network as a public-private partnership between Battelle and the State of Ohio. Providing more access for all students to experience quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is Battelle’s top philanthropic priority.
“Battelle is proud to invest in expanding the reach of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, the state’s primary vehicle for advancing STEM across Ohio,” said Wes Hall, Vice President of Philanthropy & Education. “These grants empower educators in all corners of the state to shape the next generation of solvers.”
Educators interested in future awards for the program or other supports for STEM education from the Ohio STEM Learning Network can
sign up here. A complete list of awarded schools is available at this
link.