Battelle Grants Aim to Boost STEM Learning by Combining Science with the Arts

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Aug. 4, 2014)— Recognizing that the arts can inspire students in new ways, Battelle today announced grants totaling more than $330,000 to support out-of-classroom learning. This second round of awards under the Battelle STEM Arts Grant will enable six Central Ohio organizations to launch creative experiences that engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

“In the first year of this program, we challenged Central Ohio’s vibrant arts and culture community to create programs to make STEM comes alive for students,” said Jeff Wadsworth, President and CEO of Battelle. “The programs they created and the impact these had on students made continuing this program a clear choice.”

The Battelle STEM grant program supports Central Ohio organizations that link the creative disciplines to the STEM fields, including the learning objectives outlined by the Common Core State Standards. This year’s funding continues programs in dance, art, and other areas while supporting new programs in theater and environmental education.

“Every child deserves an education that prepares them for college and career in the 21st century,” said Aimee Kennedy Vice President, Education, STEM Learning & Philanthropy. “These programs provide powerful new ways of reaching more kids.”

Battelle funded:

• Surge Columbus: A Creative Circuit for Youth—a project of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Wexner Center for the Arts, and WOSU ($200,000).
• Living Library Museum­—a project of the Granville Studio for the Visual Arts and Reynoldsburg City Schools ($50,000).
• The Wiggle Jig Program—a project of BalletMet ($25,000).
• Science of Glass & Polymers—a project of The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology ($25,000).
• STEM Rocks the Box—a project of Shadoart Productions ($10,000).
• Fairchild Challenge Pilot Project—a project of Franklin Park Conservatory’s Friends of the Conservatory ($25,000).

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle makes the world better by commercializing technology, giving back to our communities, and supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. For more information, visit www.battelle.org. 

Media Contacts

For more information contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or delaneyk@battelle.org, or T.R. Massey at (614) 424-5544 or masseytr@battelle.org.