Put-in-Bay High School was selected by The Ohio Academy of Science as one of 48 Ohio schools and 615 teachers to receive The Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the school year.

Put-In-Bay High School students who were awarded the rare honor were: Carol Cerny, Craig Schuffenecker, Dan Kowalski, Jody Amsden, Johnna Danes, Katie Schneider, Linda Rence, Liz Knauer and Melissa Kowalski.

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.

The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are: (1) Conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the District Science Day or have six or more students participate in the District Science Day when no local has been conducted; (2) Students must participate in at least one more youth science opportunity beyond the classroom.

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.

First established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities.

“These schools and teachers are preparing students for the future through application-based learning,” said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy’s Executive Director. “Their students are learning and gaining confidence by solving complex problems through inquiry and technological design.”