6 Ohio initiatives focusing on advancing education in science, technology, engineering & math get $10M boost

The Ohio STEM Committee, chaired by Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut of the Ohio Board of Regents, announced May 17 the winners of funding awards under the STEM Initiatives program. The awards are intended to fund public/private collaborations to strengthen Ohio's competitiveness in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and STEM education fields. The state’s FY 2010/2011 budget set aside $10 million in funding, with $5 million directed toward each fiscal year.

Awards were available in two categories: One is intended to support partnerships comprised of STEM Schools, STEM Programs of Excellence and other STEM Initiatives while the other is directed toward Northwest Ohio and Southeast Ohio Planning Grants.

All five of the existing state STEM hubs were funded, and will evenly share nearly $4.9 million. The hubs are located in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton.

The committee also awarded the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, an OSLN partner, a $50,000 hub planning grant for southeast Ohio.

“We’re thrilled to see the commitment by the state of Ohio toward funding innovative STEM education efforts. It’s clear from the committee’s selection that regional collaboration is key to making these programs have greater and far-reaching impact. It is precisely these kinds of cohesive efforts that will improve Ohio’s competitiveness and our state economy,” said Rich Rosen, Executive Director of the OSLN and Battelle’s VP for Education.

The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), managed by Battelle, played a significant role in helping the state implement the 2010/2011 STEM Initiative and to help applicants understand the funding process. OSLN sponsored a statewide forum in April to help the interested parties navigate the thicket of issues surrounding the complicated process of collaborative STEM education and funding. The forum brought together school districts, interested parties, and representatives from the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Board of Regents, and the Ohio Department of Development.

Battelle also assisted in early May by co-hosting and facilitating applicants in the day-long proposal review process. Results from this day were then presented to the STEM Committee for funding consideration.

The OSLN is a collaborative aimed at building and connecting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teaching and learning capacity in regions across the state of Ohio. At its core, the OSLN is focused on student and teacher success, built from a slate of committed partners from Pre-K-12 education, higher education and business and industry. For more information see www.OSLN.org.