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Three diocesan schools receive Edison Award
Three diocesan elementary schools and 18 teachers in those schools have received the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award from the Ohio Academy of Science.
The awards were presented for excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and student research during the 2016‐2017 school year to 58 schools and 509 teachers statewide.
Diocesan schools and teachers receiving the award were: Chillicothe Bishop Flaget School and teachers Dianne Cryder, Christina Kessler, Debbie Fyffe, Maria Polacek, Linda Kerr, Courtney Maxwell, Nancy Ames, Hillery Kennedy, Terrina Fahnestock, Tina Haller, Julie Beatty, Carrie Hill, Barb Nowlin, Danielle McDamiel, and Mindy Martin; Columbus Immaculate Conception School and teachers Megan Wood and Sandra Frazier; and Lancaster St. Mary School and teacher Anita Yaple.
Each school will receive a special Governor's Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a free membership to the Ohio Academy of Science. The technology division of the Ohio Development Services Agency funded the program.
To receive the award, a school must 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, and convince external STEM professionals how and to what extent the school’s program meets the science academy’s definition of STEM education.
The academy defines STEM education as the mastery and integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for all students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. 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 recognize Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.
“These schools and teachers push the boundaries of the traditional classroom by advising and mentoring student-originated research and other hand-on experiences,” said Michael E. Woytek, the academy’s chief executive officer.
The academy 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. Forty professionals, broadly representing STEM employers from business, industry, government, and education, evaluated Edison Award applications in a review process.
The Ohio Academy of Science, founded in 1891, is a membership‐based, volunteer‐ driven nonprofit organization which fosters curiosity, discovery, innovation, and problem-solving skills in Ohio. Academy members are as diverse as the science taking place in Ohio, and support science from pre-college and college students through scientific professionals. For more information about the academy, visit its website at http://www.ohiosci.org.