Oil and gas workshop for teachers is July 27 and 28

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program has selected Youngstown State University to host one of the organization’s summer teacher workshops.

The event, July 27 and 28, draws educators from around the state seeking to learn more about science, technology, engineering and math principles and how they are used in the modern crude oil and natural-gas industry.

YSU, through its Geological and Environmental Sciences Department in the STEM College, has established itself as a leader in preparing today’s students for careers in STEM fields.

OOGEEP has hosted more than 2,700 teachers representing all of Ohio’s 88 counties at these teacher workshops.

“Youngstown State University is a perfect place to demonstrate to Ohio’s teachers the role and importance of STEM in Ohio’s oil and gas industry,” said Rhonda Reeda, executive director of OOGEEP. “Today’s students need STEM education, and these teachers are volunteering their time to learn new and interesting ways to showcase these principles to their students. We can’t wait to meet another fantastic group of teachers and get to work learning from one another.”

Jeffrey Dick, chairman of YSU’s geological and environmental sciences department, said such workshops are a complement to what’s happening at the university.

“STEM education is crucial for all young people, and to share that message with teachers is an invaluable experience that we’re excited to be a part of,” he said.

OOGEEP recently introduced a revamped curriculum titled STEM Lessons in Oil and Gas Energy Education that demonstrates how STEM can be used to learn about geology, engineering, chemistry and other areas.

The curriculum meets all state and national science standards and is adaptable to kindergarten through 12th grades. It includes experiments that demonstrate how biotic material is transformed into hydrocarbons and explains the principles of geologic time and rock cycles.

OOGEEP regularly has teacher workshops to educate teachers about the crude oil and natural-gas industry and the STEM principles at work. The workshop includes demonstrations of multiple hands-on science labs. The sessions also include guest industry speakers and field visits to active oil and gas industry sites in the region.

“The workshop is a great opportunity to get information, ask questions and have one-on-one tutoring sessions,” said Karen Cordova, recent workshop graduate. “I was able to take what I learned and then communicate accurate information to my students.”

Teachers earn continuing-education units and an optional graduate credit by attending the workshop. Through the generosity of Ohio’s oil and gas producers, there is no cost for teachers to attend, and all will receive graphic organizers, Internet activities, career connections, curriculums, classroom supplies and material kits to take back to their classroom and students.

For information and to sign up for the training, visit oogeep.org/teachers-students.