By Gongwer Staff
Posted: June 18, 2014 2:52 PM

The Ohio Academy of Science today announced the employment of 20 educators as Regional STEM Education Advocates. Advocates will fan out over Ohio to work with local schools to implement Believe in Ohio, a program that prepares high school students for the future through regional STEM education forums, online courses, assignment of mentors, awards and scholarships.

Acting as education extension agents, advocates will (1) recruit and mentor teachers and students, (2) work with and assess teachers who participate in Believe in Ohio’s graduate credit professional development programs, (4) help recruit, coordinate and orient real-world student mentors, (5) represent and promote the Believe in Ohio program at The Ohio Academy Science's 16 District Science days, (6) serve as instructors of record for one or more blended learning, virtual “Introduction to the Innovation Economy of Ohio" online classes for students who wish to participate other than through their own school, (7) manage regional STEM Commercialization and Business Plan competitions and judging in March 2015, (8) assist with the State competition in April 2015, and (9) share information on all Academy programs.

Advocates hail from Ada, Ashtabula, Aurora, Bowling Green, Canfield, Centerburg, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Galena, Marietta, Mayfield Heights, Medina, Nashport, Sheffield Lake, Smithville, Toledo, Troy and Wilmington.

Believe in Ohio (www.BelieveinOhio.org )─A STEM Bridge to Ohio’s Innovation Economy of the Future─was developed by The Ohio Academy of Science and Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio with support from NorTech, The Ohio General Assembly and The Ohio Board of Regents.

“Believe in Ohio is not an alternative or substitute for local, district and State science days,” said Dr. Lynn E. Elfner, co-director of Believe in Ohio with Mr. John Klipfell, Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio.

Elfner explained that Believe in Ohio is Science Day Plus. The “plus” being the application of science and engineering projects toward a product or service that has commercial or business value.

Ohio’s high school students will compete for nearly $2 million in awards and scholarships in the upcoming school year from a STEM commercialization and entrepreneurship plan competition through Believe in Ohio. Students may be matched with a real world mentor and potentially receive high school and/or college credit.