STEM education is about embracing a future that moves beyond 20th century learning.
In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are able to:
bring knowledge and skills to solve problems.
make sense of information.
gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions.
These are the essential skills that APS students develop in science, technology, engineering and math coursework — collectively known as STEM. Building students' skills, content knowledge and literacy in STEM fields sets the foundation for our future leaders, neighbors and workers to understand and solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow and to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving 21st century workforce.
Across all APS schools, our Pre-K-12 educators place an emphasis on introducing STEM concepts to students and developing core STEM knowledge and skills through:
partnerships with local employers and universities,
emphasis on digital literacy,
and more opportunities
Our two STEM certified schools are located inside the National Inventors Hall of Fame®, NIHF STEM Middle School and NIHF STEM High School. In the 2021-22 school year, nine schools and more than 300 teachers total in the Akron Public Schools district were recognized with the Governor's Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education. Learn more about how to get started with STEM enrollment within one of our schools in Akron, Ohio.
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 recognize 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."
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 will be 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 (Kenmore-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.
Goodyear is pleased to announce that we will be continuing our Engineering Exploring Post 2046 for the 2022-23 school year. This school year we have decided to do something a little different and conduct a full year program! The Explorer’s program for the school year will be focused on robotics, coding and autonomous systems. Over the course of the school year, students learn about careers in mechanical systems, electronics and computer coding. They will also have the chance to compete in building and coding a line-following robot. The fall sessions will be held virtually over MS TEAMS. We are targeting in-person meetings beginning in the spring session (2023).
Meeting schedule and topics:
Phase 1: Physics, mechanical, electrical and electronics of robotics
Students will learn about the fundamentals to robotics, including a module dedicated on physics of force and motion, mechanical engineering and structural design, electrical, sensors and electronics.
Module 1 (Oct. 13, virtual) – What is Robotics, Goodyear Lunar Rover & Phase 1 Project Introduction
Module 2 (Oct. 27, virtual) – Physics of Force and Motion, Group Assignment and Break-Out Rooms
Phase 2: Programming the robotics for autonomous movement
Students will learn how to program their robot from Phase 1 for autonomous movement. There will be two dedicated sessions to teach the students the fundamentals of programing.
Module 8 (Feb. 16, on-site) – Group Break-Out Rooms (Discuss Feedback from Phase 1 Presentation), Phase 2 Project Introduction
Module 9 (Mar. 2, field trip) – Tentative March date; University of Akron robotics
Module 12 (Apr. 20, on-site) – Group Break-Out Rooms
Module 13 (May 4, on-site) – Group Break-Out Rooms
Module 14 (May 18, on-site) – Phase 2 Final Project Presentation and Race Challenge, Award Ceremony, Program Wrap-up
Explorers is open to high school students grades 9-12 who are between the ages of 14 and 19. Feel free to invite your friends and family to join Exploring!
Every student who would like to participate needs to complete the attached Goodyear registration packet and Exploring Application. Students who are 18 and older will need to complete the adult application. Please return by email to stemschool@goodyear.com by 10/05/2022. You will receive a link to the TEAMS meetings at the email address you provide in the registration packet.
Our team of advisers has been preparing for you and is looking forward to sharing their plans for the upcoming year! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Graber at stemschool@goodyear.com.
67th Annual Akron Public Schools STEM EXPO
Registration: December 8-21, 2022
The scholars are to register with their teachers/coaches/adviser using this website.
The 67th Annual Akron Public Schools 2022-23 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math EXPO provides scholars an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
If scholars are not working with an APS teacher/coach/adviser, click on this link for the STEM EXPO Family Site.
Reminder: The scholar must be the one to access the links.
