Put-in-Bay Teachers Receive Governor’s Thomas Edison Award

Put-in-Bay School teachers are among 615 Ohio teachers and 48 schools to receive The Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2022-2023 school year in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Put-In-Bay High School faculty receiving recognition from the Ohio Academy of Science include Carol Cerny, Craig Schuffenecker, Dan Kowalski, Jody Amsden, Johnna Danes, Katie Schneider, Linda Rence, Liz Knauer, and Melissa Kowalski.

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 6 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 who 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. Woytek went on to say, “Their students are learning and gaining confidence by solving complex problems through inquiry and technological design.”