National STEM/STEAM Day, observed on November 8, is a celebration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts. It's a day when educators, students and communities come together to recognize the significance these disciplines have in our daily lives and the opportunities they offer for personal and societal growth. In recent years, the concept of STEM/STEAM education in Ohio has evolved significantly. Traditionally, STEAM was often associated with content-based thinking—teaching these subjects in isolation. However, the educational landscape is shifting towards a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the development of inquiry and problem-solving skills within the context of these disciplines. This shift recognizes that students not only need to grasp the content, but they also need to learn how to apply it to real-world challenges. STEM/STEAM education in Ohio now aims to foster a deeper understanding of these subjects by encouraging students to explore, question and collaborate. It's about equipping students with the skills and mindset to tackle complex issues and innovate in a rapidly changing world. This transition is helping Ohio's educators empower their students to become critical thinkers, creative problem solvers and, ultimately, future leaders in STEAM fields.
STEAM takes Central Ohio
Central Ohio is currently experiencing a period of significant transformation, with several new and expanding industries making their mark on the region. This surge of economic activity is not only reshaping the employment landscape but also impacting communities across Central Ohio. The Intel semiconductor production facility will create 3,000 new jobs and invest over $20 billion in the region. Honda will be retooling one of their factories to begin production of electric vehicles and has partnered with LG to create a new EV battery plant in Jeffersonville. The automotive industry will expand further as Forsee Power, an EV and smart battery manufacturer, has chosen Hilliard as its North American headquarters. Multiple biotech companies will either be expanding their current operations or creating new facilities in this region. With all these changes coming to Central Ohio, it is quickly becoming a hub for STEAM jobs. As these industries grow, our community will experience the benefits and challenges that come with increased economic activity. Increased demand for housing, commercial expansion and infrastructure development will all need to be tackled to meet the needs of both current and new residents.
STEAM skill building is essential for success
As communities develop answers for these questions, school districts must also put plans in place to emphasize not only academic content, but also the vital skills these industries require. The traditional image of the manufacturing industry is one of loud, heavy and dirty machinery. However, many of today’s smart products are created in clean rooms that use advanced robotics, precision tools and are often cleaner than operating rooms. As artificial intelligence continues its exponential growth, many office jobs are now streamlining tasks by incorporating AI into daily operations. The jobs of today could look extremely different in only a few short years. To prepare students for this, districts should focus on fostering skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity: the foundations of STEAM thinking. In this rapidly evolving economy, the ability to adapt, think innovatively and tackle complex challenges is paramount. Considering the reliance on technology in many industries, schools should also promote digital literacy and technology proficiency, including the use of artificial intelligence.
What this means for students and educators
Building these skills is essential but not sufficient to prepare students for their post K-12 lives. Our students must be made aware of job opportunities at a younger age. At the elementary level, students need to be made aware of what careers pathways are available to them. At the middle level, students need to explore these pathways to determine if it is a good fit to their interests and strengths. It will also provide an opportunity for students to identify gaps in skills or content knowledge that will be needed in their future career. For high school students, schools need to provide opportunities to dive deeper into a career pathway through real-world exposure such as, pre-apprenticeships, technical education, mentorships or industry credentialling. To support the efforts being made to expand student's options, the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, in partnership with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, has developed and deployed an Educator Workforce Boot Camp to help connect careers to classrooms. The boot camp is a 5-day hands-on experience. Educators tour a variety of local businesses and meet with industry leaders with the goal of taking the experience and knowledge they’ve gained back to the classroom through a developed lesson plan or project. The Ohio Department of Education has also developed a Career Connections Framework as a tool to help districts create career awareness opportunities across the entirety of a student’s K-12 experience. Gone are the days where we wait until high school to help students figure out what path to take after graduation. If local schools do not provide students with the skills needed for these STEAM based careers, employers will look for talent outside of Central Ohio.
Project Innovation to the rescue
Many of the new industry projects in Central Ohio were announced as schools were combatting the learning disruptions due to COVID. The ESC of Central Ohio saw this as an opportunity to help schools integrate these essential STEAM skills and begin connecting students to the opportunities that would soon be in the region. From this, Project Innovation was born. Project Innovation is a STEM outreach program that focuses on using STEM thinking to create novel solutions to problems while using specific grade level content knowledge. Lessons or units are co-planned by teachers and the Project Innovation Team and include opportunities for collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. Project Innovation has also built equipment such as 3D printers, laser engravers, robotics and other high-tech and low-tech creation tools for classroom use. Imagine using mathematics to create a budget and financial plan for a small business, then using a laser engraver to create promotional materials or products for that small business. Picture third graders huddled around a large city design trying to code a small robot to autonomously drive through their city design, or seventh graders creating and testing biofuels using commonly available vegetable oils. Each one of these lessons and units could have been taught in a traditional manner but by connecting the content to a real-world problem, career pathway and emerging technologies, students get a much deeper understanding of the content and a richer learning experience.
Tips to incorporate STEAM programs in your district:
Navigating this constantly evolving landscape to prepare students for success in STEAM fields can be a daunting task. It is essential for districts to develop a plan so future programs are successful and sustainable. Follow these four steps to get started in your district:
- Set goals and assess your status of STEAM: Successful programs were created over a multi-year period. Start in a few buildings or with a few select teachers then expand the program once you have determined best practices. If you predict funding will be needed, check out some of these grant opportunities.
- Create Connections: Local businesses will be able to share the skills needed to enter their industry. They can also provide valuable real-world experiences for your students. Search out other schools in your area that have robust STEAM based programming to see what equipment they are using and programming they are implementing. The Ohio STEM Learning Network is a great place to start.
- Plan for professional development: STEAM pedagogy comes naturally to some teachers; others need to be coached on the best way to implement it in their classroom. Project Innovation has developed a list of books and PD opportunities that can help your staff get started.
- Embrace failure: There isn’t one simple solution to solving the challenges coming with this huge shift in our region. Every district, building and classroom has different needs and resources. Even the best plan can become a flop, but if we embrace design thinking we can leverage those lessons to create a transformative learning experience for all students.
Rob Niedermeyer is the Science and STEM specialist for ESC of Central Ohio. He has 15 years of experience incorporating STEM and design thinking practices in the middle school classroom. This experience has helped him launch a middle school maker space program, an environmental science and urban agriculture lab, and most recently the ESC’s Project Innovation STEM outreach program. In these labs, Rob developed relationships with community partners to provide students with real world experiences and culturally relevant problems to solve. As Central Ohio's STEM reputation continues to grow, he believes all students in this diverse region should have access to the 21st century skills taught in STEM based learning. This passion for science and STEM education has been recognized at both the local and statewide levels. Rob completed his formal education at The Ohio State University and Ashland University.