7 teachers, 2 schools get youth science awards

Hubbard High School and St. Christine School were selected.

STAFF REPORT

COLUMBUS — Two Mahoning Valley schools and teachers from those schools were among the selected 73 schools and 209 teachers selected by the Ohio Academy of Science to receive Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities for their accomplishments during the 2007-08 school year.

Ohio Department of Education will issue special Governor’s Award certificates.

Local schools and teachers honored are:

UHubbard High School: William Hart, Laura McCleery, Maria Pizanias, Tiffany Bendersky, Bob Williams and Irene Pizanias.

USt. Christine School, Youngstown: Marie Viglio.

“These schools are engaged in project-based curricula, the central element of any STEM education program,” said Lynn Elfner, the academy’s CEO. STEM is short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Whole new worlds of opportunities open up to students when they complete research or technological design projects,” Elfner continued.

To qualify for the Governor’s Award, each school conducted a local science fair with 20 or more students, sent one or more of these students to one of the academy’s 16 district science days, and involved students in one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom such as State Science Day, visits to museums, mentorship programs and extended field trips.

The academy initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation with governor’s office and the ODE to recognize schools and teachers who stimulate student scientific research and extend science education opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.

The Technology Division of the Ohio Department of Development has supported this program since 1985 by grants to the academy.