MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Battelle recently announced the launch of the Ohio STEM Learning Network and the grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation that will help make it happen. The official announcement and press conference was held at Metro and several of our students participated.
Metro was abuzz that day with all sorts of VIPs! A representative from the Gates Foundation, state leaders in education and business and many of Ohio’s policy leaders, including Governor Ted Strickland, Senate President Bill Harris and Speaker of the House Jon Husted were all there.
A team of students was stationed in the lobby to handle guest registration, coat check, nametags and to escort visitors to the event area. In the process they were able to show off their school and answer questions that helped our guests get a feel for what a STEM school is all about.
When I was asked how we might include students in the program, it was easy to find a connection. Last May, several of our students visited the Ohio Statehouse to testify before a House Subcommittee on Education about their experiences in Ohio’s first STEM school. The meeting was part of the committee’s discussions about a STEM education bill that would fund more STEM schools in Ohio. (See blog post from May 18, 2007).
The students who had gone to the Statehouse became our welcoming committee to greet the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker and escort them into the OSLN press conference. What a wonderful opportunity for them, and they made us very proud!
In addition, Guadalupe Medina (or Lupe as she’s known around here) gave the opening remarks at the meeting, welcoming the audience to her school, leading into a “Second Life” glimpse into Metro life and introducing Carl Kohrt. Her confidence and enthusiasm set the perfect tone for the exciting announcement Battelle was about to unveil.
It was such a proud day at Metro – for Battelle, the students and everyone involved in making the OSLN a reality.
Lupe chats with Gov. Strickland at the OSLN launch
- - Posted February 18, 2008 - -
Diana Wolterman is on a two-year special assignment to Metro High School, where she will play a key role in furthering the collaboration between the private sector and education, including special projects to connect Battelle staff with the activities in the school, assisting with tours and visits, developing and implementing new experience-based curriculum support, and helping to document the process of creating a new STEM-focused learning experience. Diana also will document Battelle’s successes and missteps at Metro to help the organization learn from the experience and make good decisions going forward at Metro and in other educational activities.