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MCCTC showcases new Valley STEM + ME2 Academy
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Mahoning County Career and Technical Center Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi addressed the audience at the school’s Valley STEM + ME2 Academy ribbon cutting and open house on April 21.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for the ninth- and tenth-grade Valley STEM + ME2 Academy, which will offer state-of-the-art equipment, on April 21.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel was the guest speaker at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center’s Valley STEM + ME2 Academy ribbon cutting and open house on April 21.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for the ninth- and tenth-grade Valley STEM + ME2 Academy on April 21.
The evening’s events began with the official ribbon cutting of the STEM lab, which will be housed at MCCTC. Following the ribbon cutting, Director of Valley STEM Mara Banfield, MCCTC Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi and Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel addressed attendees.
“With the Valley STEM + ME2 Academy, we are paving the way for our students to reach their highest potential and to achieve their dreams,” Banfield told the audience.
The Valley STEM + ME2 Academy will provide an ideal setting for students to receive a problem-based education, based on mastery of skills.
The academy has a STEM-designation from the Ohio Department of Education. The STEM school is a collaboration of partnering public school districts, local businesses and industry partners, the Ohio STEM Learning Network and higher education institutions. There are 19 STEM designated schools in the state of Ohio.
The academy will offer state-of-the-art equipment, such as a 7,000 square foot renovated lab and open classroom space complete with technology for student use, personal Trio 3D printer, large volume 3D printer-3D Chimera, 3D scanner-Afinia 3D Digital, laser engraver-Epilog, printer/cutter-Roland, flatbed UV printer-Roland, wide-format printer/cutter, VersaCAM VSi Series-Roland, MDX-540 benchtop milling-Roland, Zspace 3D interactives and more.
Dr. Iarussi shared with the audience how excited he is about the academy.
“I am excited beyond words. A great deal of thought and many dedicated people made this happen. This day is six years in the making. I would like to thank everyone involved, especially the Mahoning County school superintendents for their incredible support,” Iarussi said.
Iarussi then introduced guest speaker YSU President Tressel, who praised the creation of the academy.
“April 21 is a transformative and pivotal day in the Valley. Creating this academy is a very bold step in the world of education. This type of school requires a grassroots effort, and thanks to these efforts by many people, who are here tonight, this academy is a reality. I am proud of all the work that has been done by everyone here tonight on behalf of all of us in the Valley,” Tressel said.
Following the speakers, tours were available, as well as hands on activities with the new state-of-the-art-equipment in the lab, and attendees could also speak with administrators and instructors.
Refreshments were provided for attendees by students in the MCCTC Adult Education Culinary and Restaurant Management Program. The students, under Chef Sean Kushma, made a variety of hot and cold appetizers and mini desserts for the open house.