By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
New banners heralding the STEM designation are flying from the rafters in five Reynoldsburg schools.
The banners—the most received by any Ohio school district—were presented to Baldwin Road Junior High, Reynoldsburg eSTEM, Reynoldsburg Health Sciences and Human Services Academy, Herbert Mills Elementary and Summit Road Elementary following an Aug. 15 presentation by State Board of Education member Stephanie Dodd.
Dodd said Ohio’s STEM designation program singles out schools that emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their curriculum.
“STEM schools are learning environments that encourage inquiry-based learning,” said Dodd. “To earn the distinction, your schools had to form working partnerships with public and private entities and offer a rigorous and diverse project-based curriculum.”
Dodd said Reynoldsburg is committed to preparing the future work force for jobs that will be in demand and well paid. She said the students in the five schools are actively engaged in teamwork, research and critical thinking skills that will help them be successful in life.
“I am honored to present these five banners,” said Dodd. “Thank you for the forward-thinking attitude of your administrators and the district. Your dedication to STEM education will have a tremendous impact on students and the community.”
eSTEM Academy, housed on the Reynoldsburg High School Summit Road campus, incorporates environmental curriculum into the STEM program and is one of 10 schools in the state leading the design of STEM education.
HS2 (health and human services) is one of two Ohio designated STEM schools specializing in medical fields. It is housed at the Reynoldsburg High School Livingston Avenue campus.
STEM Middle at Baldwin Road Junior High is one of Ohio’s two STEM platform middle schools.
Herbert Mills STEM Elementary was recognized as the first designated STEM elementary in the state and is part of the Ohio STEM Learning Network.
In addition to being designated as a STEM school, Summit Road STEM Elementary was selected in 2016 as a United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School.
