Several Valley schools receive grant money to fund STEM programs
Several schools throughout the region have received grant money that is intended to go towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational programs.
According to a news release, the grants to Valley schools were a part of the $900,000 total distributed by Battelle, a science-based company headquartered in Columbus.
The $900,000 grant is called the Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grants, and it aims to support sustainable, STEM-based educational projects in schools across the state of Ohio.
Four schools within the Mahoning Valley region received funding as part of this grant funding, including:
- Leetonia Exempted Village School District, located in Columbiana County
- Northeast Ohio Impact Academy, located in Mahoning County
- Valley STEM + ME2 Academy, located in Mahoning County
- Bloomfield High School, located in Trumbull County
"These grants empower Ohio educators to create dynamic learning environments where students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for tomorrow's challenges," said Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Education at Battelle.
Awarded schools received varying amounts of funding up to $5,000.
Bloomfield High School announced on Monday that it was awarded a $5,000 grant for virtual reality (VR) headsets for students.
The funding will be used to purchase a classroom set of VR headsets to give students access to technology that will take their learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls.
These learning opportunities include taking virtual field trips, exploring new environments and participating in immersive learning experiences that bring lessons to life across multiple subjects.
Valley STEM + ME2 Academy in Mahoning County received $2,500 as part of the grant funding, announcing such in a news release on Monday.
"Valley STEM Genius Hour: Empower. Create. Integrate" is described as a year-long and student-driven project that encourages students to select a topic they are passionate about and develop a project that connects to STEM values.
The project then culminates in the Genius Hour Fair, where students can present their work using visuals, demonstrations and technology.
