Exceptional science, mathematics and engineering mentors announced

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), with the National Science Foundation (NSF), has named 25 individuals and five organizations as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). PAESMEM recognizes the outstanding efforts of mentors in encouraging the next generation of innovators and developing a science and engineering workforce that reflects the diverse talent of America. The Akron Public Schools science and health department is one of the five organizations to receive this award.

Click here for the list of 2022 PAESMEM awardees.
Click here for the Official APS Science and Health Department Biography

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our scholars for believing in our mission, our teachers for trusting us and our community for unwavering support. Our advocate Jonathan Simmons, Christopher Learning Tree Academy, nominated us for this award. 

A special thank-you to our application editors:

• Susanne Grywalski, a retired English teacher from Firestone CLC
• Penny Pletikapich, a retired science teacher from Litchfield CLC (she is Dr. Katrina Halasa, a former third-grade teacher at King CLC)

We would also like to acknowledge the following individuals for their outstanding letters of recommendation:

• Dr. David James, former superintendent of Akron Public Schools
• Christine Justiss, seventh-grade science teacher, National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School
• Edith N. Bowers, elementary teacher (1986–2014), Akron's Teacher of the Year (1999) and Instructional Coach (2014–18)
• Heather Hinkle, science teacher, Buchtel CLC
• Penny Pletikapich, parental liaison for Secondary Education, Akron Public Schools

Community recommendations:

• Jonathan Simmons, Christopher Learning Tree Academy 
• Cindy DeMaio, Rachel's Angels, with testimony from the Hailey, the original Rachel’s Angels, and the following generations of Akron Public Schools Rachel's Angels: Abdul, Corey, Maney, Naomi, Tam, Prabin and Zyhann 

Thank you all for your dedication and support in helping us achieve our goals!

Akron Public Schools Teachers Receive Governor's Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education

The criteria for the Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence are: (1) to conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students; (2) qualify two or more of these students for one of the Academy's 17 district science days; (3) have students participate in at least one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom such as State Science Day, Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair, Science Olympiad, B-Wiser, visits to museums, mentorship programs, and extended field trips and other structured STEM-related youth activities; and (4) convince external STEM professionals how and to what extent the school's program met the Academy's definition of STEM education. The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both the mastery and integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for all Pre-K-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 recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. "These schools and teachers are connecting classrooms to the real world by demonstrating the relevance of STEM," said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy's Executive Director. Woytek went on to say, "they are developing a group of active and intrinsic learners."

Click here for all the school awards from 2002-present.

Akron Public Schools Healthcare In Progress (HIP) program in partnership with Kent State University and The University of Akron received the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from under-represented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Akron Public Schools, Kent State University and The University of Akron were featured, along with 49 other recipients, in the September 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in STEM through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

In partnership with Akron Public Schools, Kent State University and The University of Akron, HIP exposes students to different career opportunities available in healthcare. Throughout the school year, students become involved with area hospitals and can participate in summer opportunities that introduce them to the colleges within the partnership. The HIP Initiative has helped more than 1,700 students, with an emphasis on populations under-represented in health care, picture and be better prepared for their futures in healthcare careers.

Akron Public Schools Healthcare In Progress (HIP) program in partnership with Kent State University and The University of Akron has been in existence since 2000 when a diverse group of institutions came together to form the Healthcare in Progress (HIP) Initiative for the betterment of community health. More than 75% of students who have participated are females, and 80% are non-white. HIP introduces students to various medical-related fields (medicine, nursing, hospitality and support services, information systems and medical records, biomedical engineering, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, physiology, and rehabilitation technical services) and takes them into hospital settings to experience and observe healthcare and medical practice in action.

More than 500 of these 1,700 students have also participated in HIP's summer program, a week-long opportunity for students to experience "life on campus" with an emphasis on post-secondary education for healthcare careers. The summer week provides many opportunities such as shadowing health care professionals on the job, problem-based learning projects and information on healthcare careers. In addition to the summer pipeline from eighth-grade to 12th-grade programs, Fall and Spring Seminar touch bases were created over the last four years. Furthermore, the Rachel's Angels program has been wrapped into the HIP program to provide students an opportunity to speak about the opioid crisis to health classes across middle and high schools in our own and area school systems.

At each grade level, these programs:

• engage high-school-level students by raising awareness of opportunities in healthcare careers during high school and beyond;
• provide pathways to local educational opportunities in the student's area of interest;
• create a forum to provide curriculum counseling for how to get into college and into a career; and,
• connect students to the many scholarships and other funding opportunities to help them pay for their education.

The goal is to place graduates in meaningful careers with earning power making positive contributions to the healthcare team in Akron and the Northeastern Ohio region. As Akron Public Schools engages in Academy work, the HIP program is the platform from which the district emulated other partnerships within the city. The academies related to health care are the following: Sports Medicine & Health Care Professions (Buchtel CLC); Healthcare (East CLC); Animal Sciences (Ellet CLC); Nursing & Patient Care (Garfield); Allied Health, Healthcare Operations, PLTW Biomedical Science (North); Biotechnology (STEM); and an Associate Degree in Science (Akron Early College).

"We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for under-represented students," says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. "We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond."

For more information about the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.

Judges, Booths, Volunteers and Sponsors Needed

Every year, Akron Public Schools (APS) hosts a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) EXPO. This year is the 69th ANNUAL STEM EXPO! Anyone with a background in a STEM field and a desire to inspire and encourage the next generation of STEM scholars is encouraged to participate as a judge!

• Judges are required to be at Ellet CLC on January 25 around 7:30 a.m. and will be leaving after lunch around 1:30 p.m.  
• Judges Sign-Up Form 2025

Is judging not your thing? We have interactive booths for the participants and attendees to explore during the EXPO. If you are a university, industry, K-12 organization or vendor and would like to bring an interactive booth to the STEM EXPO, register using the link below.  

• Booths are required to be at Ellet CLC on January 25 at 7:30 a.m. and will be leaving after lunch around 1:30 p.m. 
• Booth Sign-Up Form 2025

Judging or exhibitor not your thing? We have volunteer opportunities to enhance the smooth operation and experiences for our budding STEM scholars at STEM EXPO; register at the link below.  

• Volunteers are required to be at Ellet CLC on January 24 and/or 25 for at least two-hour shifts! 
• Volunteer Sign-Up Form 2025

Judge, exhibitor or volunteer not your thing?  Instead, if you are part of a STEM organization, STEM industry and/or a STEM society with financial awards for our STEM scholars at STEM EXPO, register at the link below.  

• Sponsor Judges are required to be at Ellet CLC on January 25 around 7:30 a.m. and will be leaving after lunch around 1:30 p.m.  
• Sponsor Sign-Up Form 2025

For questions or concerns, contact Katrina Halasa at khalasa@apslearns.org or 330.761.3117.

High School Goodyear Deadline - Registration Closes Jan. 19, 2025

Akron Public Schools will provide a bus from your home school to The University of Akron. 

Who: Students in Grades 9-12
Registration: Register Here
What: Goodyear's STEM Career Day High School Event highlights career opportunities in STEM. Students will participate in presentations from professionals in the field, a live Rube Goldberg Competition, tours of The University of Akron and professional mentoring! Up for a challenge? Get a group together to build a Rube Goldberg Machine and compete in the live Rube Goldberg Challenge®! We'll see you there!
Where: The University of Akron
When: February 8, 2024, 8 a.m.-noon
Student check-in will be 7:30-8:15 am. Student activities will kick off promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Middle School Goodyear Deadline - Registration Closes March 19, 2025  

Who: Students in Grades 6-8
Registration: Registration Here
What: Goodyear's STEM Career Day Middle School Event brings students together to have fun while highlighting many opportunities in STEM. Students will participate in a hands-on engineering activity, various STEM-related interactive activities, an informational fair and more! Up for a challenge? Get a group together to participate in the Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge®! We'll see you there!
Where: Firestone CLC
When: April 5, 2025