Benjamin Logan Middle School will be awarded $5,000 to expand STEM learning projects through Ohio STEM Learning Network Classroom Grant Program, funded by Battelle.
The 223 grants issued this fall will create sustainable, STEM learning projects to benefit students for years to come.
The local project, “BLMS’ Vertical Version of Growth” will stimulate interest in learning about a new way of farming through project-based learning of hydroponic and aeroponic gardening, grant writer and sixth-grade teacher Gretchen Powell shared.
“This project revolves around students who are not sitting at desks listening to a lecture, but who are up and actively participating in not only the growth of food production, but also their own crop harvesting.
“Hands-on lessons about texture and taste, learning names of different species of plants, photosynthesis, measuring nutrient density, experimental design and sustainability will literally be at the students’ fingertips within three weeks, as the plants grow three times as fast using the basic foundation that plants need: water at the roots, carbon dioxide and light.”
In total, 163 public schools join Benjamin Logan Middle School in winning the grant awards. The program reached students in one of every seven school districts (124) across 60 Ohio counties.
“Every Ohio community should have access to the kind of quality STEM education that drives opportunity for families and job growth in our state,” said Kelly Gaier Evans, Ohio STEM Learning Network director. “This program creates champions of STEM in local communities and, through them, fosters new opportunities for students.”
The grant program fosters the growth of the Ohio STEM Learning Network as a public-private partnership between Battelle and the State of Ohio. Providing more access for all students to experience quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is Battelle’s top philanthropic priority.