The following is a company-submitted press release and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Spaces4Learning.

Believe in Ohio Makes Middle School Program Available to Ohio Teachers

Columbus, Ohio — The Believe in Ohio (BiO) program today announced that it is making the Believe in Ohio program available to Middle School teachers during the 2015-2016 school year. Believe in Ohio provides an opportunity for teachers to develop their students’ interest in STEM, critical thinking skills, higher level-thinking, writing, oral presentation and research skills, and create a foundational pathway for future learning at the high school level.

“Middle School teachers have expressed much interest in participating in the Believe in Ohio program,” said Stephen McConoughey, PhD, CEO of The Ohio Academy of Science and Co-Director of the Believe in Ohio program.  “Following on the success of the Believe in Ohio program with high school students during the 2014-2015 school year, we are pleased to now provide Middle School teachers the resources they need to prepare their students for the future,” he continued.

Now in its second school year, Believe in Ohio is a comprehensive, free program developed by The Ohio Academy of Science and Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio, with the support of the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio General Assembly, which helps students prepare for the future.  It is the objective of the Believe in Ohio (BiO) program to:

  • Help students understand the challenge and opportunity the future presents for them and how to prepare for it through STEM forums, virtual field trips and online courses exploring Ohio's Innovation Economy.
  • Help students understand the importance of a STEM education and an entrepreneurial mindset to become competitors in Ohio's Innovation Economy through engagement with STEM & entrepreneurial experts and mentors, and participation in the BiO STEM Commercialization Plan & STEM Business Plan competitions.
  • Inspire students to Believe in Ohio and pursue their education and careers in Ohio by introducing them to Ohio's robust R&D and entrepreneurial ecosystem that offers great opportunities for their future, and by providing scholarships to Ohio colleges and universities to winners of its annual statewide BiO STEM Commercialization Plan and STEM Business Plan competitions.

The Believe in Ohio program helps prepare students to become “competitors” in Ohio's innovation economy and to be part of Ohio's next generation of innovators who will create the new product services and jobs of the future through the application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

To find out more about the Believe in Ohio program, visit our website at www.BelieveInOhio.org or call The Ohio Academy of Science at 614-914-5095.