45 ohio schools and 544 teachers receive governor's thomas edison awards for excellence in stem education
(Dublin, Ohio) -- The Ohio Academy of Science today selected 45 Ohio schools and 544 teachers to receive "The Governor's Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research" for their accomplishments during the 2021-2022 school year. Each school will receive a special Governor's Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a complementary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science. The Technology Division of the Ohio Development Services Agency funded the program.
Among local teachers are Unioto Elementary School's Jenni Domo.
Teachers in Chillicothe's Bishop Flaget are:
- Amanda Harper
- Ashley Tackett
- Bailey Foreman
- Casey Teets
- Christina Kessler
- Debbie Fyffe
- Dianne Cryder
- Laura Corcoran
- Mindy Martin
- Taylor Woodbridge
- Terrina Fahnestock
- Tina Haller
The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are: (1) Conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the 2022 Virtual District Science Day OR Have 6 or more students participate in the 2022 Virtual District Science Day when no local has been conducted, (2) Students must participate in at least one more youth science opportunity beyond the classroom. 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 experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. “These schools and teachers are connecting classrooms to the real world by demonstrating the relevance of STEM,” said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy’s Executive Director. Woytek went on to say, “they are developing a group of active and intrinsic learners.”
The Ohio Academy of Science initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation with The Office of The Governor and The Technology Division of The Ohio Development Services Agency to recognize schools and teachers for excellence in STEM education and scientific student
research.