BELLBROOK — Bellbrook Middle School and 13 teachers earned the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research.
Only 58 Ohio schools and 509 teachers received the prestigious award. It’s the 21st consecutive year for Bellbrook.
“This award is evidence of the strong support in our Bellbrook-Sugarcreek community,” said Cathy St. Pierre, one of the teachers honored. “It is recognition for the achievement of our students, along with the tremendous support of our administration, parents, and community members. Congratulations to our students, parents, schools and Bellbrook community for fostering such excellence.”
The criteria are: conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students, qualify two or more of these students for one of the academy’s 17 district science days, have students participate in at least one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom such as State Science Day, Science Olympiad, B‐Wiser, visits to museums, mentorship programs, and extended field trips and convince external STEM professionals how and to what extent the school’s program met the academy’s definition of STEM education. 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.
The 13 Bellbrook Middle School teachers selected for the award were St. Pierre (27th year), Kayla Bruggeman, Nate Doolos, Tami Basich, Crystal Current, Kyle Ferguson, Kim Lord, Debi Schwieterman, Allie Bisignani, Jennifer St. Pierre, Shelby Sigman, Lynzee Johnson and Ellen Herick.
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.
