St. Mary teachers among winners of Edison Award
Teachers at 40 Ohio schools including St. Mary Immaculate Conception in Wooster were recently selected by the Ohio Academy of Science to receive The Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2023-24 school year.
Each school will receive a Governor’s Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a complementary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science.
Among the honorees were St. Mary teachers Alison Eby, Alli Bureau, Ashley Chittenden, Darryl Woods, James Clark, Laura Marvin, Mary Boyer, Michael Seifried, Sherri Metcalf and Theresa Williams.
The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence include the following:
—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 when no local one has been conducted.
—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 recognize Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.
“We are proud to honor these schools and teachers for preparing students for the future through application-based learning,” said Michael E. Woytek, the academy’s executive director. “The students are learning and gaining confidence by solving complex problems through inquiry and technological design.”
The Ohio Academy of Science initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Development Office of Technology Investments to recognize schools and teachers for excellence in STEM education and scientific student research.