The Need for a New Approach

  • More than 1,000,000 Ohioans work in the food, agriculture, bioscience, and environmental fields, making it Ohio’s largest industry. This industry employs 1 in 7 Ohioans and is constantly growing.
  • Nearly 500,000 Ohioans are unemployed, however there are over 80,000 unfilled jobs, many in high-tech fields that require college degrees.
  • Only 34% of Ohioans hold at least a 2-year degree, placing Ohio in the lowest 25% of states in degree attainment; a recent Georgetown study found that future jobs in bioscience, food science, agriculture, and related fields will increasingly require post-secondary degrees.
  • Traditional agricultural-education programs in Ohio public schools are declining at a rate of 5% every 4 to 5 years. These negative trends are in sharp contrast with national and international demands for increased food supplies, alternative energies, and environmental stewardship.

What is Global Impact STEM?

Keys to Success
  • Building Leader and Faculty are Innovators
  • Unique and Engaging Educational Experience
  • State of the Art Facility
  • Private Sector Involvement Through Internships and Financial Support
  • Redefined School Day and School Year
  • Leverage Blended and Digital Learning Models
  • Hardwired to a World-Class University

The current Ohio STEM Learning Network, operated by Battelle Memorial Institute, is an excellent tool to develop a well-qualified workforce. These public STEM schools and programs focus on preparing students for successful careers in the 21st century through problem- and inquiry-based learning. Despite these existing STEM resources, no steps have been taken at the K-12 level to create a 21stcentury workforce for Ohio’s largest industry, agbioscience. The GlobalImpactSTEMAcademy seeks to fill this skills gap. While other states have taken steps to create ag-science high schools, no other statehas envisioned a network of schools leveraging public and private resources, like The Ohio State University, Battelle, and the bioscience, energy, and food science businesses that impact global markets with Ohio-grown products.

Curriculum, Experience, and Exit Points

Global Impact STEM Academies would have an industry focused curriculum and a project driven school day. By utilizing blended and digital learning models, students will be able to customize and personalize their educational experience. Upon graduation, students will be ready to enter the workforce immediately or enter one of Ohio’s excellent 2- or 4-year programs. This decision will be impacted by the insight they receive from industry internships offered at by each GlobalImpactSTEMAcademy.

Strong support from private industry will allow each GlobalImpactSTEMAcademy to leverage the expertise and advancement of Ohio’s agbioscience sector to provide students with a realistic and engaging educational experience. Internships will allow students to apply their knowledge and skills and gain valuable experiences. Additionally, dual enrollment programs with Ohiouniversities and community colleges will allow students to graduate from high school with college credits in hand and gain a head start on a successful career.

Start-up and Leadership

Evaluating Success
  • Industry Leaders see value in their investment
  • Use of digital and blended learning methods
  • Cost effective and sustainable
  • College bound students have low remediation
  • High rate of post-secondary attainment
  • Less college debt due to dual enrollment
  • Bring success to students from all backgrounds

Global Impact STEM Academies will be offered at multiple sites throughout Ohiowith primary consideration given to urban environments. Proximity to an urban core ensures that the school can provide opportunities to students who do not have access to existing ag-education programs. Global Impact STEM Academies will be public schools, open to any student in Ohio. Additionally, students who choose to blend several learning options will be able to move seamlessly between GlobalImpactSTEMAcademies and their local schools. This unique approach not only protects the stability of current K-12 schools, but it isalso an innovative way to expand choice and opportunity for each individual student.The target date for the first GlobalImpactSTEMAcademy to open is autumn 2013. The school will open to 9th graders in its first year, and then expand over the next 5 years, eventually serving more than 600 students in grades 6 to 12 on site with many more through digital learning programs.

The Global Impact STEM Academies Network will be lead by a non-profit board comprised of K-12 and higher-ed experts, industry leaders and innovators, and community representatives. Founding partners of the project and members of the leadership board should notably include a major research university, Battelle and other industry partners. SpringfieldCitySchool District has been a strong supporter of this network and has pledged a multi-million dollar facility, as well as expertise and logistical support for the first site. There are more than 250 agbioscience employers, 50 school districts, and several institutions of higher education in close proximity to this site. Employers and industry leaders can sponsor labs, facilities, and equipment, ensuring a realistic and relevant experience. Additional grants from the federal government and non-profit groups, as well as state funding will help cover start-up and continuing expenses.

Progress and Next Steps

  • A broad group of experts from K-12 and higher education, agbioscience industry leaders, and parents and students have collaborated to make this concept a reality; more than 100 individuals have contributed thoughts, ideas, and resources to this concept
  • A marketing study is underway to gauge community interest and priorities for parents and students—preliminary results are overwhelmingly positive
  • Determine what other areas in Ohio as well as what other industries can be added to the Global Impact STEM Network to prepare students to take on the world’s challenges
  • Several organizations and businesses have already committed resources to Global Impact STEM and, recognizing the enormous potential this concept possesses, more and more are getting involved
  • Momentum is building—Learn more and get involved at

The Office of State Senator Chris Widener
E-mail:
Phone: (614) 466-3780 / Fax: (614) 466-7662

Global ImpactSTEMAcademies / February 2012