October 2024

The staff of the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU recently presented at the Ohio Deans Compact annual meetings on the Project EDUCATE (Educators of Diversity: Unified and Collaborative to Aspire Teacher Education) grant project. The presentation centered on the groundbreaking BGSU Life Design curriculum introduced at partner school district Washington Local’s Whitmer High School and their teaching professions program and for its impact on creating the next generation of teachers of diversity.

The Northwest Ohio Center of Excellence in STEM Education (NWO) in the College of Education and Human Development at BGSU, in partnership with the Toledo Zoo and Xcite Learning, held the fourth annual “BioBlitz BG” event on a natural habitat prairie for local fourth graders from Bowling Green city schools.

“BioBlitz BG” was held at Wintergarden Park in Bowling Green and taught participants how to observe nature and become active citizen scientists to help preserve local natural habitats while learning in an outdoor classroom.

Dr. Jodi Haney, Professor Emeritus of Science and Environmental Education at BGSU and GLOBE Master Trainer remarked, “We are continually so impressed with the participation and engagement witnessed among ALL participants, and it is our goal to engage students in exploration and investigation in nature in order to learn about both living and nonliving components of the local prairie ecosystem and what they and their families can proactively do to maintain its health. Finally, we wanted to inspire students to take action to help protect and preserve both local prairies and planet Earth.”

Alex Burris from the Toledo Zoo and co-director of the zoo’s Project PRAIRIE (PRAiries that InvigoRate Inquiry LEarning) program, was similarly pleased with the outcome of the event. Along with the help from BGSU pre-service undergraduates, participating students were charged with the task to document as many living organisms as possible (both plants and animals) as they encountered in the prairies. The student-collected data was then uploaded to the iNaturalist platform, a learning application dedicated to citizen science and inquiry-based discoveries in nature that is useful for scientific data collection and conservation.

The enthusiastic students also cycled through additional citizen scientist activities during the BioBlitz. Dr. Haney facilitated the students’ observation of clouds and measurement of air, surface, and soil temperatures to compare prairie habitats as part of The GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observation of the Environment). This data was uploaded to the GLOBE Program database and shared with scientists who use GLOBE data to better monitor the earth.

The students took soil, air, and surface temperature measurements to compare the prairie to nearby places like the trail and the woods. Students also took cloud observations using the GLOBE Observer App to learn how different types of clouds have a different impact on the earth’s climate. This app allows any citizen to be a citizen scientist, making important observations used by NASA scientists.

Zoo staff taught students how to make seed drops to plant seeds in their own backyards. After assembling their seed drop bags, students then made Prairie ethograms by watching and observing insects in the prairie.

The results and data collections were sent to the teachers for them to discuss and reflect on this information with their students to further deepen all learning.

Jenna Pollock, Education Program Manager at NWO, hopes the “BioBlitz” will continue to grow each year as she stated, “STEM education and inquiry-based learning is as important as ever and engaging young students in this type of activity is part of our mission. We are thrilled with the student engagement with this event!”

By Branden Ferguson, BGSU news

Ryan Lothamer will use his scholarship to expand access to science education in underserved communities

For the third consecutive year, a Bowling Green State University student has been selected as a Voyager Scholarship recipient, a prestigious nationwide honor that exemplifies the University’s commitment to supporting students in their pursuit of creating public good on campus and beyond. 

Ryan Lothamer, a junior science education major, is the only student in Ohio – and among 100 nationwide – selected for the scholarship which recognizes those who plan to pursue careers in public service. Lothamer's selection also makes BGSU the only university in Ohio with a scholar in each cohort since the program's inception.

Embracing comprehensive opportunities at BGSU, Lothamer has used his education to get involved and give back, seeking to expand access to science learning for students in underserved and underrepresented communities.

The Defiance, Ohio, native even pitched the concept, known as The Spark Foundation, as part of The Hatch, an immersive 10-week program open to all BGSU majors through the Schmidthorst College of Business that takes entrepreneurial ideas from vision to reality. Since then, his idea has received interest from several Ohio school districts.

“BGSU allowed an education major like me to take part in a business program and make real efforts to improve the community around me,” Lothamer said. “As a student, I feel supported and encouraged to try new things and make a difference. In my program, I am learning in a hands-on environment how to be a great teacher and make a difference in the lives of my future students."

For Lothamer, the opportunities didn’t stop at The Hatch. He also got involved in the BGSU PAWS therapy dog team, volunteered with the American Red Cross and Ronald McDonald House and even started a radio show with students from across the country.

“After transferring to BGSU from a community college, I began making up for lost time,” he said. “I found myself getting involved in everything. All those opportunities stem from BGSU taking a chance on me. Those opportunities to get involved, give back and take on leadership roles led to me becoming a Voyager.”

While shocked and excited to be named a Voyager Scholarship recipient himself, the announcement came as no surprise to Dr. Lena Duran, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development and advisor to BGSU science education majors.

"I met with Ryan when he was getting ready to make his Hatch proposal," Duran said. "He is so driven, caring and passionate about teaching, and his work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond is nothing short of amazing. I remember thinking, 'Wow, he is going to make a real difference as a teacher and as a member of his community.'"

Lothamer's efforts have had a rippling effect in the college, serving as an example of what can be accomplished with hard work, compassion and BGSU support.

Click here to read the full story.

Ohio STEM Learning Network Design Challenge

Bring STEM to any school with a design challenge Challenging Students to Create Workable Solutions to Promote Sustainability of Life in Low Earth Orbit. The Ohio STEM Learning Network hosts a design challenge where students collaborate to create workable solutions to the key issues facing our communities This year, we are asking them to reach for the stars!

The Mission:

How do we improve the sustainability of life in low-Earth orbit, such as living aboard the Starlab space station?

Develop a plan, system, or product to positively impact the sustainable use of materials, habitable space, and/or energy. Demonstrate how these improvements could translate to more sustainable living on Earth.

https://osln.org/how-we-help/classroom-opportunities/statewide-design-challenge/

Ohio STEM Learning Network Computer Science Licensure Program

Unlock the path to computer science licensure

The Ohio STEM Learning Network’s Licensure Exam Prep Program can help. This program will deepen your understanding and prepare you for licensure as a computer science teacher under Ohio’s supplemental pathway. Aligned to Ohio Assessments for Educators: Computer Science (054), the program combines guided virtual study group sessions and an on-demand digital learning platform.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until December 6, 2024. Program may reach capacity before this date. Apply here.

BGSU College of Education and Human Development

The Ohio education community is invited to the Campus of Bowling Green State University for a FREE mathematics education community event in the Education Building room 115 Wednesday Oct 23rd, 7:30pm to 9:30pm. we will be watching and discussing the film “Counted Out: Math is Power” which describes the importance of mathematics and thinking mathematically in our new and changing technological world of AI and Algorithms. We will have Free popcorn, water, and soda.

It will make for an enjoyable time and a great discussion among educators and community members. We only have 200 seats for this showing so please register soon. You can register in 10 seconds with the QR code on the attached flyer or by going to this site. https://events.bgsu.edu/event/free-movie-screening-counted-out

BGSU Planetarium Fall Programs

• Undiscovered Worlds – Search Beyond the Sun
• Big Astronomy – People, Places, Discoveries
• Spooky Space

Showtimes are Thursdays 6:30 p.m. and Sundays 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

For more information: https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/bgsu-planetarium.html

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oil and Gas

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ mission is to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. To fulfill this promise, ODNR’s diverse workforce operates throughout the state in an array of professions, including law enforcement, information technology, natural resource protection, environmental sciences, business administration, engineering, and more.

High school juniors and seniors from Ohio interested in participating in ODNR’s Job Shadow Day on Friday, November 22, can qualify by completing an application showcasing their interest in a career in natural resources. The application will be open from September 13th through October 25th. Decisions will be released in early November.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please see:

https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/support-odnr/jobs/job-shadow-odnr

INFOhio Webinar

Discover popular resources for each grade level with this Welcome to INFOhio webinar recording. Explore a collection of eBooks and videos, and watch a demo of INFOhio's Educator Tools. Find this webinar, along with other professional learning options, using INFOhio Campus.

https://www.infohio.org/blog/item/welcome-to-infohio-webinar-recording

Army Educational Outreach Program Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Students can take the next step in their STEM journey by exploring the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) program. JSHS gives high school students the chance to present the findings of their STEM research and earn scholarships—all while connecting with like-minded peers and professionals. Don't miss the opportunity to showcase your passion for science and innovation! https://jshs.org/region/ohio/

Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesPrograms and Resources

Provides many programs and resources to educators, volunteers, organizations and the general public. These programs help meet our mission: to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

Wildohio.gov

BGSU Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Educator Program

Program overview:

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program, aimed to increase interest in STEM related fields with focus on robotics and advanced manufacturing. The funding will pay selected high school or community college educators who currently teach STEM subjects for participating in a six-week summer program and for implementation of developed learning modules during the following academic year.

Twelve selected program participants will:

• Receive a $6,000 stipend (paid at end of program).
• Receive a one-time $200 stipend to defray travel expenses (paid at end of program).
• Receive lunch and snacks during on campus dates.
• Engage in a research project with faculty mentors and graduate students.
• Attend research presentations, curriculum development workshops, and industry tours.
• Develop an instructional module to teach a topic related to their research.
• Receive supplies and equipment to implement developed instructional module.
• Receive $500 upon instructional module implementation during the following academic year.
• Receive Ohio Professional Development verification of Participation for LPDC Approval.

Download flyer (pdf) Here!