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NOV/DEC 2025 Submissions
NOV/DEC 2025 Submissions
Elyria High School – Soldering for Replay for Kids and Halloween Signs
Elyria High School – Soldering for Replay for Kids and Halloween Signs
School: Elyria High School
Educator: Jeannine Stape, STEAM Teacher (Grades 9–12)
Event Date: October 6, 2025
Engineering with Purpose
Engineering with Purpose
At Elyria High School, students in Jeannine Stape’s STEAM classes are learning that technology and compassion go hand in hand. Partnering with Replay for Kids, a nonprofit that modifies toys for children with disabilities, students learned how to solder wires and replace switches with adaptive jacks, allowing children to control toys using their own assistive devices.
Through this process, students gained real-world experience with electronic circuitry, soldering techniques, and assistive technology, while understanding how engineering can improve lives. The project also inspired empathy, teamwork, and pride as students saw the impact of their work on local families.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
This project demonstrates how hands-on STEM learning can connect classroom skills to community impact. By combining design, engineering, and service, students not only mastered new technical abilities but also experienced how STEM can make the world more inclusive and accessible.
Firelands Middle School – Transportation Careers: Automotive Displays & Accessories Trainer
Firelands Middle School – Transportation Careers: Automotive Displays & Accessories Trainer
School: Firelands Middle School
Educator: Chuck Latto, Industry 4.0 Instructor (Grades 7–8)
Event Date: October 17, 2025
Hands-On Exploration of Automotive Technology
Students in Chuck Latto’s Industry 4.0 class at Firelands Middle School are diving into the world of transportation technology and automotive systems. Through the use of an Automotive Displays and Accessories Trainer, learners gain first-hand experience simulating real vehicle operations. They examine multiple engine systems — including gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric — while analyzing how components such as lubrication, ignition, coolant, fuel, and charging systems work together to keep a vehicle running.
Learning by Diagnosing
With a focus on troubleshooting and diagnostics, students use the trainer to simulate common automotive faults such as low oil pressure, brake fluid loss, or a failing temperature sensor. They pair this experience with virtual online diagnostic software, where they interpret fault codes and apply problem-solving skills similar to those used by professional technicians.
Why It Matters
This project connects students directly to careers in automotive and transportation technology, providing a clear understanding of how STEM principles apply to the vehicles they see every day. By integrating hands-on equipment and virtual tools, students are developing critical thinking, technical literacy, and career awareness — essential skills for the future of the modern automotive industry.
Ranger High Tech Academy – Soil Health Study
Educator: Jayna Szwedko, Grade 6 Teacher
Event Date: October 10, 2025
Digging into Local Science
Sixth graders at RHTA partnered with The Ohio State University to conduct a community soil health study. Students learned to test and analyze soil samples from surrounding neighborhoods, compiling their findings into informational brochures for residents.
STEM in the Community
By connecting environmental science with civic engagement, students provided residents with actionable insights for improving their soil’s health — showing how data, collaboration, and communication can drive real community impact.
Soil Sampling Video.mov
Ranger High Tech Academy – Women in STEM: BGSU Event
Educators: Alex DeSciscio & Rachel Maxwell, Grade 8 STEM Teachers
Event Date: October 22, 2025
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
Eighth-grade girls from RHTA attended the Women in STEM event at Bowling Green State University, engaging in hands-on experiments, coding, and robotics.
Representation Matters
By connecting with women scientists, engineers, and college students, learners saw firsthand how women are leading in STEM fields. The experience encouraged confidence, shattered stereotypes, and helped girls envision their own paths in science and technology.
Ranger High Tech Academy – Monarch Butterfly PBL
Educator: Kacie Giunta, Grade 3 Teacher
Event Date: October 21, 2025
Learning Through Advocacy
Third graders explored the essential question: “Why is the monarch butterfly’s survival important to our environment?” Through a project-based learning experience, they researched life cycles and environmental challenges, then created educational flyers and milkweed seed packets for local residents.
STEM for Environmental Impact
Students presented their advocacy materials to neighbors, promoting conservation and awareness while strengthening communication, empathy, and scientific understanding.
Ranger High Tech Academy – Ecosystem Project
Educator: Stacy Thacker, Grade 5 Teacher
Event Date: October 28, 2025
Building Sustainable Habitats
Fifth graders extended their work from a 2024 Pollinator Garden project into new efforts focused on ecosystem maintenance and habitat design. Students are now preparing to launch a Habitat Trail on campus and refurbish pollinator houses for Old Woman Creek and RHTA.
Why It Matters
These hands-on experiences in environmental engineering connect directly to state science standards and build student ownership in local conservation efforts. RHTA will celebrate its upcoming Wild School Site designation through the Ohio Division of Wildlife in spring 2026.
Ranger High Tech Academy – Volcanoes in Costa Rica
Educator: Randi Muck, Grades 3–8 Teacher
Event Date: December 5, 2025
Cross-Grade Collaboration in Action
Grades 3–8 learners collaborated in a cross-curricular study of volcanoes and plate tectonics, culminating in hands-on demonstrations and student-led presentations.
Global Connections and Real-World Learning
Older students researched earthquakes, met with an engineer from Mexico specializing in earthquake-resistant structures, and taught younger students about seismic safety and engineering principles.
This collaboration built a positive school culture while helping learners of all ages connect scientific knowledge to real-world global challenges.
SEPT/OCT 2025 Submissions
SEPT/OCT 2025 Submissions
Walter G. Nord School – Painting with Sphero
Walter G. Nord School – Painting with Sphero
School: Walter G. Nord School
Educator: Beth Schwartz, Technology Innovation Specialist (Grades 4–5)
Event Date: May 27, 2025
Coding Meets Creativity
Coding Meets Creativity
During Field Day, Walter G. Nord School 4th and 5th graders got creative with code by using Sphero robots. With their school colors in hand, students engineered colorful paintings while experimenting with speed, direction, and patterns.
Problem-Solving in Action
Problem-Solving in Action
The activity blended fun with learning — students had to adjust their coding to achieve the best results, applying problem-solving and iteration in real time.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Painting with Sphero introduced students to the power of coding in a playful, hands-on way. By combining technology with creativity, Beth’s class showed how robotics can spark engagement, teamwork, and excitement for STEM learning.
🔗 See more from Mrs. Schwartz on X: Painting with Sphero
Columbia Middle School STEAM Day
Columbia Middle School STEAM Day
School: Columbia Middle School
Educator: Jacki Daymut, Engineering & Technology Teacher (Grades 5–8)
Event Date: May 22, 2025
Engaging All Students in STEM Through Problem-Solving
Engaging All Students in STEM Through Problem-Solving
Every year, Columbia Middle School hosts STEAM Day, a schoolwide event where students participate in a project-based learning (PBL) competition. Using the engineering design process, students work in teams to tackle a real-world problem.
Every year, Columbia Middle School hosts STEAM Day, a schoolwide event where students participate in a project-based learning (PBL) competition. Using the engineering design process, students work in teams to tackle a real-world problem.
Community Collaboration
Community Collaboration
The event is powered by strong community connections: 20 guest judges from local businesses not only evaluate projects but also serve as mentors, offering feedback during the design process.
The event is powered by strong community connections: 20 guest judges from local businesses not only evaluate projects but also serve as mentors, offering feedback during the design process.
Showcasing Student Innovation
Showcasing Student Innovation
The competition builds to an exciting finale — the top two teams in each grade level present their solutions in front of all the judges and the student body. Judges then use a rubric to determine the overall winner.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
STEAM Day empowers students to think critically, collaborate, and innovate while also connecting them directly with local professionals who use these skills every day. It’s an inspiring example of how schools can build bridges between the classroom and the community.
🔗 See more highlights from Ms. Daymut: @mrsdaymut on Instagram
Avon Middle School – STEM Engagement for Girls
Avon Middle School – STEM Engagement for Girls
School: Avon Middle School
Educator: Michelle Hurrelbrink, STEAM Teacher (Grades 7–8)
Event Date: Ongoing
Creating Inclusive Opportunities in STEM
Creating Inclusive Opportunities in STEM
When Michelle Hurrelbrink joined Avon Local Schools in 2021, she noticed that girls made up only a small fraction of students in her STEAM courses — just 13% on average. Determined to change this, she redesigned the Digital Media Art course into Digital Creation and Marketing, a class that integrates technology, entrepreneurship, and design.
When Michelle Hurrelbrink joined Avon Local Schools in 2021, she noticed that girls made up only a small fraction of students in her STEAM courses — just 13% on average. Determined to change this, she redesigned the Digital Media Art course into Digital Creation and Marketing, a class that integrates technology, entrepreneurship, and design.
Real-World Tools and Experiences
Real-World Tools and Experiences
Students now use iPads, Apple Pencils, Canva, Procreate, Glowforge, Cricut, and sublimation tools to launch and run the AMS Pop-Up Shop, a creative small business that applies the engineering design process to real-world challenges.
Students now use iPads, Apple Pencils, Canva, Procreate, Glowforge, Cricut, and sublimation tools to launch and run the AMS Pop-Up Shop, a creative small business that applies the engineering design process to real-world challenges.
Shifting the Balance
Shifting the Balance
The redesign has transformed enrollment: girls now make up 70–75% of the class, a powerful increase that reflects the appeal of combining creativity, problem-solving, and technology.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Michelle’s work demonstrates how intentional course design can make STEM more inclusive. By valuing creativity alongside technology, she has created a pathway for girls to see themselves as innovators and leaders in STEM fields.
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