Dublin, OH (September 9, 2022) . . . The Ohio Academy of Science today selected 45 Ohio schools
and 544 teachers to receive The Governor's Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM
Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2021-2022 school year. Each
school will receive a special Governor's Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a
complementary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science. The Technology Division of the Ohio
Development Services Agency funded the program.
The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are: (1) Conduct a local science fair
with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the 2022 Virtual
District Science Day OR Have 6 or more students participate in the 2022 Virtual District Science Day
when no local has been conducted, (2) Students must participate in at least one more youth science
opportunity beyond the classroom. The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both
the mastery and integration of science technology, engineering, and mathematics for all PK-12
students. It incorporates scientific inquiry and technological design through student-focused,
project-based curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/collaboration,
creativity/innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving.
First established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards recognizes Ohio schools
and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend
experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. “These schools and teachers are
connecting classrooms to the real world by demonstrating the relevance of STEM.”, said Michael E.
Woytek, the Academy’s Executive Director. Woytek went on to say, “they are developing a group of
active and intrinsic learners.”
The Ohio Academy of Science initiated this educational partnership program in cooperation
with The Office of The Governor and The Technology Division of The Ohio Development Services
Agency to recognize schools and teachers for excellence in STEM education and scientific student
research.
Founded in 1891, The Ohio Academy of Science (OAS) is a membership-based, volunteer-
driven, not-for-profit organization. The Academy is the leading organization in Ohio to foster
curiosity, discovery, innovation, and problem-solving skills. OAS members are as diverse as the
science taking place in Ohio, and OAS programs support STEM research among pre-college and
college students through the professional scientific community.
For more information about the OAS, please visit its website at
http://www.ohiosci.org
For the entire media release and a list of all schools that participated click here