September 2024

As part of a Department of Energy grant project through the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, NWO assisted in planning and implementing a field trip experience for over 460 4th grade students from Washington Local Schools in partnership with the Toledo Metroparks. 

Students participated in the Metroparks on the Move Career assembly show at the Glass City Enrichment Center and learned about many different careers around the Metroparks. Students also walked through the park and experienced learning stations such as a Maumee River Study (with live crayfish), Geocaching and Turtle Telemetry. 

As reported in an NWO news article in early May, a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Midwest Student Research Symposium was held at the Toledo Zoo, combining nearly 400 students from northwest Ohio and the Midwest regional states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The symposium offered the chance for students to discuss research projects with STEM professionals, share ideas and learn from peers, and explore STEM careers. These symposia are held every spring in each of GLOBE's six U.S. regions.

Below is an exciting highlight video of the event that was just released!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16G6gL1VrzLU41Yf_na02xn4nS8U7jeCF/view

The link to the article: https://www.bgsu.edu/nwo/e-newsletters/newsletter-archive/May2024.html

This article is from The Blade by Melissa Burden

Kamila Hernandez, a soon-to-be freshman at the Natural Science Technology Center, was excited by the newly rehabbed facility on Elmer Drive.

“I have always wanted to be an ethologist or zoologist, so I decided this was the best school to do that,” Kamila said. “All of the plants around here and the school makes me feel free to enjoy life.”

Her mother, Lillian Ovalle, and father, Abel Hernandez, agreed.

“We wanted the best school for our daughter to be in for what she wants to do,” Ms. Ovalle said. “That is why we moved from Palmetto, South Carolina. We searched online and this was the only school in the country with this programming. We moved to Toledo because of this school.”

Toledo Public Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday. The newly renovated and expanded school was part of an $11 million project at the Natural Science Technology Center. Existing core classroom areas have been upgraded, along with improvements for offices, bathrooms, a new roof, and the parking lot.

Improvements and additions also include construction of a new classroom wing for expansion of the school, a new HVAC system, an electric vehicle charging station, and the complete remodeling of the career tech lab spaces, and a veterinary surgery lab.

“This is the future of education where students will get hands-on experience, and they can earn college credits as well,” said Kurt Wicklund, senior director of Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo. “TPS is investing in the future and reinvesting in the community.”

The NSTC school is part of the Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo, which also includes the ANSAT school located on West Airport Service Road.

To read for story, click here!

Ohio Sustains Space Design Challenge

Each year, the Ohio STEM Learning Network hosts a design challenge where students collaborate to create a workable solution to key issues facing our world. Any school in Ohio can participate in the challenge. The design challenge is the perfect starting point to begin implementing high-quality STEM education best practices in a classroom.

This year’s statewide design challenge continues a partnership with an exciting space program called Starlab. Students will explore what it means to live and work in space. 

#OhioSustainsSpace Design Challenge

How do we improve the sustainability of life in low-Earth orbit, such as living aboard the Starlab space station?

Develop a plan, system, or product to positively impact the sustainable use of materials, habitable space, and/or energy. Demonstrate how these improvements could translate to more sustainable living on Earth.

The Ohio STEM Learning Network offers a range of supports to help teachers bring the challenge to classrooms.

• Connect to industry through the Expert Link and SpaceBytes programs offered in partnership with Starlab
• Guidebook with step by step directions, links to background information and more
• State showcase on February 20, 2025 at Battelle’s main headquarters in Columbus, Ohio
• Optional sticker design contest where students can use their creativity and imagination 

Learning Blade

New for Learning Blade!

We’re excited to share that Learning Blade’s new mission diagrams are now available, featuring a fresh design to help you integrate STEM, computer science, and career awareness into your classroom even more effectively!

These redesigned mission diagrams offer a new layout with updated content, making it easier than ever to find and utilize the resources that best fit your students' needs and support career exploration.

Additionally, as the new school year kicks off, we want to remind you to schedule your Back to School Professional Development sessions to help you make the most of Learning Blade!

Forgot your login or need an account? Sign up here:

www.LearningBlade.com/States

NASA TechRise Student Challenge: Virtual Field Trip

Audience: Educators and students in grades 6-12
Virtual Field Trip for Students: Friday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. EDT
Challenge Entry Deadline: Nov. 1
Contact: support@futureengineers.org

Join the NASA TechRise Virtual Field Trip to hear from NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins and participate in a live Q&A session. Learn about high-altitude balloons and how your school can win $1500 by submitting an experiment idea to the NASA TechRise Student Challenge.

Click here to learn more and to RSVP to attend.

Students are back in school, and so are Virtual Farm Trips! View the constantly growing list of FREE, LIVE trips for students across the country this fall (https://virtualfarmtrips.com/live-trips/) and sign up to receive notifications when new trips are available for your students (http://eepurl.com/hejc4v)!

DO STEM Near Me

DO STEM Near Me is a free, user-friendly resource designed to help you quickly find and engage in various STEM events, projects, and programs in your community or online. Our goal is to enable anyone, anywhere to participate in meaningful STEM activities, whether for recreational, educational, or professional purposes. With DO STEM Near Me, discovering and participating in STEM opportunities has never been easier. www.do-stem.org/stem-opportunities

DRIVE OHIO Educator Toolkit

DriveOhio has published exciting new content for the 2024–25 edition of the DriveOhio Educator Toolkit. This FREE collection of standards-aligned curriculum and resources supports K-12 STEM education and career connections focused on emerging transportation technologies, including electric vehicles, drones, air taxis, delivery robots, and more! 

We’ve incorporated feedback from 400+ educators who have downloaded the toolkit and attended our webinars and workshops over the past year. Updates include new curriculum, an expanded “Toolkit Tuesday” webinar series featuring employers and partners including LEGO® Education and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, enhanced Career Connections content, and more Portable Innovation Labs from the PAST Foundation. 

https://drive.ohio.gov/workforce/educator-toolkit/educator-toolkit?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District

Lucas SWCD programs are provided on a first come, first served basis free of charge to your classroom! These programs are generally science related, however, we do offer programs that incorporate math, social studies/civics, and language arts standards.

Teachers can find a booklet with complete program descriptions on our website https://www.lucasswcd.org/youtheducation.html. Program descriptions along with estimated time of presentations, can be found throughout these booklets. Presentations are categorized by grade level, however, these are suggestions based on standards for the specific grade level