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Dayton Region STEM School
Contact: Email Greg Bernhardt or call 937-775-2821
Announcement of Award
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Dayton will be the recipient of $600,000 in state funding to develop a STEM school initially to be located on or near Wright State University's campus, the Ohio Board of Regents has announced. The Dayton Regional STEM School will offer a highly advanced curriculum for grades 6-12, designed to help students from Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties gain the skills needed to succeed in higher education and in the global economy.
The Board of Regents also approved a proposal for a STEM School in Cleveland during a public meeting yesterday in Columbus.
The Dayton Regional STEM School proposal (DRSS) was advanced by a broad coalition of Dayton-area universities, colleges, career technical centers, public school districts, EDvention, businesses and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to create a new school to promote education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The new school is slated to open in the fall of 2009, initially in a facility provided by Wright State University, with funding and services donated by a strong coalition of partners. Admission will be open to high-potential students, with a special emphasis on under-served communities throughout the three-county region, and diversity in ethnic background, income, gender, and abilities. The Dayton Regional STEM School also will serve as a resource to assist schools throughout the area in increasing the effectiveness of STEM instruction for all students.
"In keeping with the mission of Wright State University to be a catalyst for educational excellence in the area, our institution is taking a leadership role in opening and operating the new Dayton Regional STEM School, which we believe can spur tremendous individual achievement as well as economic growth for the entire region," said David R. Hopkins, president, Wright State University. "We are proud to be part of a coalition representing the brightest and best in our region from education, business and government, who recognize that effective STEM education is critical to Ohio's future."
Wright State University will invest $500,000 in the initial development of the school, as well as serve as the fiscal agent for the project, providing long-term administrative and operational support, along with access to such university facilities as its laboratories, arts facilities and library. Gregory R. Bernhardt, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Wright State, who has spearheaded the STEM school proposal to the state, will act as chief facilitator to bring DRSS partners together to establish the school. "Our goal for the Dayton Regional STEM School is to prepare students with the skills necessary to compete in our rapidly changing economy while nurturing in our young people the same enthusiasm for discovery, invention and application that launched the vision for powered flight," said Bernhardt.
Dayton Regional STEM School Partners
Located at University Park across from Wright State's main campus, in close proximity to the Air Force Research Laboratory at WPAFB, the Dayton Regional STEM School is supported by a strong coalition of partners, who together have committed a total of more than $2.2 million in funding and program services. Educational partners include Central State University; Clark State University; Sinclair Community College; Wright State University; University of Dayton; EDvention; the Dayton Regional STEM Center; Western Ohio Center of Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education; Miami Valley Career Technology and Greene County Career Centers; the Educational Service Centers for Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties; and the school districts of Fairborn, Huber Heights, West Carrollton and Xenia.
"We know this commitment to our students is right because it prevails upon us to create a system of academic excellence that will promote creative and innovative thinking for a generation that will live with rapid social and economic change," said Rusty Clifford, Ph.D., superintendent, West Carrollton City Schools. "We believe fully that regional systemic efforts based on collaboration are the most effective way to ensure that all our children develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful."
According to Susan Bodary, executive director of EDvention, the umbrella organization for STEM education in the Miami Valley, the Dayton Regional STEM School will develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators and leaders by engaging students in challenging learning experiences, cutting-edge research projects and cross-disciplinary problem-solving as part of their daily work. "This school will be a resource for teaching and learning throughout the Dayton region-and a model for the country-as we work to prepare students who solve problems, create, innovate and lead us toward the future," said Bodary.
Major business and government partners are Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mound Laser, Standard Register, CDO Technologies, Dayton Development Coalition, Time Warner Cable, LexisNexis, ID Cast and Inventis.
"The business community is committed to the success and long-term viability of the Dayton Regional STEM School, which will help meet the workforce demands of the Dayton business community and, most importantly, provide a 21st Century education for Dayton-area students," said Chris Kershner, vice president, public policy and economic development, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to significant support from business and industry, a major distinguishing factor for the Dayton Regional STEM School is the involvement of the Air Force Research Laboratory and access to its outstanding facilities. "The Air Force Research Laboratory stands ready to support the creation of the Dayton Regional STEM School by providing opportunities to teachers and students alike to further their learning experiences in the STEM fields. The award of this state grant is the result of what can happen in the Dayton region when we all work towards a common goal. The AFRL is excited to be part of this initiative," said Ricardo (Rick) Negron, research and technology applications program manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory.
As the development of the school proceeds, the coalition will be recruiting additional business and institutional partners and financial support to build a permanent school facility.
Timeframe for Opening
The development of the Dayton Regional STEM School facility and the recruitment of faculty will take place during 2008 and 2009. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009, beginning with students in the ninth grade with an initial class of no more than 80. Several grades will be added each year through 2012, when all grades 6-12 will be represented. The school is intended to serve students who have high potential in STEM subjects, but who may not have access to such advanced learning opportunities in their local public schools. The application process will be announced later in the year.
The Dayton Regional STEM School Partners are:
Higher Education: Clark State Community College, Sinclair Community College, Central State University, University of Dayton and Wright State University
Area School Districts: Fairborn, Huber Heights, West Carrollton, Xenia, Miami Valley Career Technology and Greene County Career Centers
Educational Service Centers: Montgomery, Clark and Greene County ESCs
Business and Industry: Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mound Laser, Standard Register, CDO Technologies, Dayton Development Coalition, Time Warner Cable, LexisNexis, ID Cast, Inventis
Government: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Air Force Research Laboratory
Other: EDvention, Dayton Regional STEM Center, Western Ohio Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education
Other STEM Schools
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