BGSU participates in STEM conference

BOWLING GREEN, O.—They are crucial fields of study, necessary for the future of Ohio’s students and the region’s economic success. On May 13, a panel of experts will discuss the importance of STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and take viewer questions during a special broadcast airing on both WBGU and WGTE.

“STEM Education: Critical Partnerships for the 21st Century” will air from 8-9 p.m. and can also be watched online at http://www.knowledgestream.org. Dr. Pat Pauken, an associate professor in the School of Leadership and Policy Studies at Bowling Green State University, will host. Participants include John Stanford, the executive assistant for education to Governor Strickland; Paul Worstell, president of Pro-Tec Coating, Inc.; Steve Weathers, president and CEO of Regional Growth Partnership; Carol Campbell, executive vice president at First Solar, Inc.; Dr. Charlene Czerniak, a nationally known science education researcher and professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Toledo, and Putnam County Educational Service Center Superintendent Jan Osborn, a prominent leader in K-12 education throughout the state.

They will discuss what needs to be done to ensure that STEM education is strong and effective in northwest Ohio and how it is tied to the region’s business growth, quality of life and future economic success.

As Ohio has conceived it, STEM means helping all students learn how to be creative and innovative while deepening and integrating their knowledge in a variety of fields, including science and math. Coordinators say it’s about preparing students to meet the need for a high tech, high skill work force.

The panel discussion will be followed by a webinar hosted in the WGTE studio from 9-10 p.m. It will be viewable only over the Web at http://www.knowledgestream.org, but the public is invited to go to remote sites to participate. The focus will be developing action plans for improving STEM education in each local community.

The webinar locations are as follows:

•       Putnam County Educational Service Center, 124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa, Ohio

•       St. Henry High School, 391 E Columbus St., St. Henry, Ohio

•       Perkins Local Schools Administrative Service Center, 1210 E. Bogart Road, Sandusky, Ohio

The broadcast and webinar are made possible through the support and assistance of BGSU, the University of Toledo, the Putnam County Educational Service Center, the Ohio STEM Learning Network and the National Governors Association.
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(Posted May 07, 2010 )