Scholarships Offered for Corrosion Engineering Program Bellbrook makes Newsweek's Best High Schools list Bellbrook students study hybrid car PLTW OHIO Sweeps Design Competition; Winners to Compete Nationally Indian Valley Middle School Display at COSI Timken Seniors Display at PLTW National Symposium Centerville High School takes 1st and 2nd in the DTMA Bots Competition Lorain County JVS students complete engineering internship at NASA Polaris Robotics and Automation Technology Team Takes 2nd Place at SkillsUSA Nationals Gateway to Technology students from North Union Middle School earn Honda Innovation Award An innovative remote-controlled roto-tiller earned the top innovation prize at the 2009 National Robotics Challenge Ohio rolls out Elementary Modules Innovation Showcase at COSI The technology community of Columbus recently came out in force to welcome the Innovation Showcase to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).

STEPS (Science, Technology and Engineering Preview Summer) Academies hosted in Ohio high and middle schools

Beginning in June, the Education Foundation of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) funded nine one-week Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering academies at Ohio middle and high schools across the state, including schools in Canton, Columbus, Marion, and Logan in Southeast Ohio.  Teachers already trained in PLTW were utilized as instructors, and students beginning middle school in the fall were encouraged to participate in the camps.  Student projects included doing computer dimensioning and design which helped them design and build a glider, and building a remotely controlled car. Some students built rockets, which they then fired into “space”.  “(STUDENT QUOTES)   

Bart Aslin, the SME Education Foundation Director, was pleased with the recent tour taken of one of the academies at Buckeye Middle School in Columbus.  “The academies were designed to be a fun, interactive, hands-on learning experience that will excite young people about math, science, engineering and technology,” Aslin said.  “The instructor and other adults who interacted with the students believe that we have accomplished this goal.  We’re happy about that.” 

Laurie Maxson, the national director for the STEPS program, visited Buckeye Middle School with Mr. Aslin.  She was also impressed with what she saw, particularly during a field trip visit to the Edison Welding Institute.  “I thought the students were engaged and enthusiastic about the activities they were doing.”  Maxson said.  “they had a great time on the field trip—they enjoyed hearing from the engineers, learning about different careers and doing hands-on activities with lasers.”

Both Laurie Maxson and Bart Aslin are looking forward to next summer.  “I was quite impressed with how Ohio has embraced the STEPS Academies” said Laurie.   “We are looking forward to expanding the STEPS Academies to more schools in Ohio next summer.”