Area teachers gather at 花季传媒 Chillicothe for STEM education day

Nearly 80 area Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers, school administrators and future educators gathered at 花季传媒 Chillicothe on Thursday, May 8, for a professional development day focusing on renewable energy. OHIO Chillicothe hosted the STEM education professional development day for teachers with the support of its Education Advisory Committee and National Grid Renewables (NGR). 

Participants engaged in STEM-focused breakout sessions led by area educators and OHIO Chillicothe faculty. They also visited two NGR solar installations in Ross County to enhance their understanding of STEM applications.

鈥淭he Education Cooperation Agreement between NGR and OHIO Chillicothe has enabled us to provide enriching educational opportunities related to renewable energies to students, educators and the community,鈥� said Dean of Campus and Community Relations Roberta Milliken.

Lindsay McNeal, principal of Greenfield Elementary School and a member of the OHIO Chillicothe Education Advisory Committee said the professional development day was an outstanding example of how a local community can invest in its educators to support meaningful learning.

鈥淭he STEM-focused event provided a firsthand look at local solar fields, equipping teachers with real-world knowledge to enhance lessons on energy use, career pathways, and innovations in the electrical field,鈥� McNeal said. 鈥淟ocal experts and peers led engaging presentations, fostering both networking and practical takeaways educators can immediately bring back to their classrooms. I鈥檓 proud to have participated in such an impactful day鈥攐ne that will benefit thousands of students across multiple counties.鈥�

Jessica Short, director of the Dayton Regional STEM Center and an 花季传媒 Chillicothe graduate, delivered a keynote address entitled, 鈥淓ngaging Minds, Empowering Learners, and Energizing our Future.鈥�

Short is an educator and advocate for STEM learning with deep roots in southern Ohio. She grew up in Chillicothe, graduated from Unioto High School, and continued her education at 花季传媒 Chillicothe earning a Bachelor of Science in Education and later earning a master鈥檚 degree in from the University of Cincinnati.

鈥淪TEM education is more than an acronym鈥攊t鈥檚 about fostering a mindset of curiosity, a strong STEM identity, and a culture that supports innovation at every level,鈥� said Short. 鈥淓ducators and communities can create learning environments where students see themselves as problem-solvers and change-makers. With Ohio鈥檚 growing focus on renewable energy and sustainability, STEM education plays a critical role in preparing the next generation to tackle real-world challenges.鈥�

Assistant Professor of Instruction Karen Corcoran said OHIO Chillicothe was honored to host area STEM educators and support the valuable work they are doing in their schools. According to Dr. Amy Wolfe, assistant professor, the event was the result of the thoughtful collaboration of the 花季传媒 Chillicothe Education Advisory Committee which is composed of Chillicothe faculty and administrators from the region. The group aspires to create opportunities such as this where innovations can be 鈥渃ross-pollinated鈥� between districts to allow for best practices to grow across the region.

Educators earned eight contact hours for participating in the STEM education day at OHIO Chillicothe.

For educators who missed the STEM education day, or would like to learn more about renewable energies, 花季传媒 Chillicothe and the Patton College of Education, with support from NGR, will offer a continuing education graduate credit course on Saturday, July 19, and Saturday, August 2, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The renewable energies course for middle and high school teachers will take place primarily in Bennett Hall at 花季传媒 Chillicothe and it will include a site visit to one of the NGR solar farms in the area on the second day of the course.

For more information about the course, and to register, visit 花季传媒 Chillicothe鈥檚 Continuing Education web page.