Ohio Catholic schools win lion’s share of prestigious STEM awards

Several elementary schools and dozens of teachers from the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland were honored for STEM excellence in Ohio last week.

Established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research is given each year to “schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.”

The recognition is administered by the Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) and funded by the Office of Technology Investments and the Ohio Department of Development.

OAS 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.” 

The criteria for the award requires schools to “conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the District Science Day or have six or more students participate in the District Science Day if local one was not conducted,” and that “students must participate in at least one more youth science opportunity beyond the classroom.” 

Overall, schools and teachers in the Diocese took home more than a fourth of the honors, claiming 11 of the 40 schools and 156 of the 436 teachers chosen statewide by the OAS to receive the prestigious award. 

“We are proud to honor these schools and teachers for preparing students for the future through application-based learning,” OAS Executive Director Michael E. Woytek said in a press release announcing this year’s recipients. “The students are learning and gaining confidence by solving complex problems through inquiry and technological design.” 

The schools will receive a “special Governor’s Award certificate” and the teachers will each receive a complimentary membership to the OAS. 

Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, underscored the importance that STEM industries will play in the future, and praised the recipients for preparing Ohio’s students for it. That future, she says, will be full of opportunity due in large part to the efforts of the schools and educators being honored. 

“Today’s young scientists are the architects of tomorrow’s promising economic landscape, and we are so grateful for the invaluable role these schools and teachers play in supporting their pursuit of knowledge,” she said. “Through their dedication to STEM education, these educators are empowering students to become the relentless innovators who will build a better future for Ohio.”