MANSFIELD — On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Board of Governors for the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center met for their monthly meeting.
At the meeting, the Principal of F.I.R.S.T. School, Vanessa Wagner, shared that F.I.R.S.T. will be awarded $5,000 to enhance STEM learning initiatives through the Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grant Program, funded by philanthropy from Battelle. This funding is part of a broader effort that has issued 248 grants this year to develop enduring, STEM-based educational projects.
Vivian Brownlow, teacher at FIRST School, received the grant for her project, Smart City Design Challenge, which “not only enhances academic learning but also supports students’ mental and social well-being, as they feel empowered to contribute meaningful solutions to real-world challenges,” explained Brownlow. “Students’ collaborative work fosters a sense of community, improves communication skills and helps build resilience as they navigate complex problems together.”
“On behalf of Mid-Ohio ESC Governing Board of Directors and Administration, I would like to thank Ms. Brownlow for her efforts in applying for and receiving the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) STEM Classroom Grant,” said Kevin Kimmel, Superintendent, MOESC. “The students at the F.I.R.S.T. School will benefit from this additional resource to support their learning.”
A total of 197 public schools, including F.I.R.S.T. School, have been recognized with this prestigious award. The program has impacted students across 144 of Ohio’s school districts, spanning 67 counties.
“Battelle is dedicated to broadening the scope of the Ohio STEM Learning Network, Ohio’s key resource for promoting STEM education statewide,” stated Wes Hall, Vice President of Philanthropy & Education at Battelle. “These grants are crucial in empowering educators throughout Ohio to inspire and prepare the problem-solvers of tomorrow.”
The grant program fosters the growth of the Ohio STEM Learning Network as a public-private partnership between Battelle and the State of Ohio. Ensuring all students develop the skills to be successful in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields is Battelle’s top philanthropic priority.
“Access to high-quality STEM education opens doors to new opportunities for families and supports job creation in local communities,” said Kelly Gaier Evans, Director of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. “This grant program connects local STEM champions to an extensive network of STEM schools, resources, and other educators.”
Awarded classrooms will receive grants of up to $5,000.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand how Battelle and OSLN’s initiative transforms learning into an immersive, collaborative journey for students so I feel very fortunate to have been selected to receive this grant,” said Brownlow. “Through this grant, our students will engage in hands-on, inquiry-based tasks and deepen their understanding of science, technology and sustainability while developing critical 21st-century skills like teamwork, problem-solving and creativity.”
Educators interested in future awards or additional support for STEM education from the Ohio STEM Learning Network can sign up here. A complete list of awarded schools is available at this link.
About the Ohio STEM Learning Network
The Ohio STEM Learning Network is committed to helping the State of Ohio inspire and train the next generation of innovative leaders. The network operates as a public-private partnership between the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Battelle.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.
Please note that the MOESC offices will be closed November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving, December 24th and 25th for Christmas, December 31st for New Year’s Eve, and January 1, 2025 for New Year’s Day.
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists.