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Herbert Mills Elementary School Earns STEAM Designation
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Herbert Mills STEM Elementary School, an Ohio Designated STEM elementary school, has earned STEAM designation through the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio STEM Learning Network. The A stands for Arts, and the school plans to use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to root student experiences in the arts and humanities.

The Ohio STEM Committee met to review applications for state designations. The committee is comprised of a panel of policy makers, agency directors and business leaders. Thirty applications from schools across Ohio were considered, with 14 accepted into the network and granted designation.

“I am so very proud of all of the staff at Herbert Mills STEAM Elementary School,” said Herbert Mills STEAM Elementary School Principal, Mary Ellen Weeks. “By rooting our learning experiences in the global goals, as well as the arts and humanities, we are able to create a more inclusive culture and provide high impact learning experiences that develop our students into true global citizens.”

Herbert Mills STEAM Elementary School students have been given several Global Sustainability Goals to think critically about during the school year. They have been asked to determine how they can help end hunger, end poverty, and help people have access to clean water. ?Students also focus on the sustainability of the City of Reynoldsburg in terms of energy and transportation, to predict changes, zoning regulations and more to determine what Reynoldsburg will look like in 50 years. 

“Students know when they go to a school where teachers and staff are committed to creating new connections,” said Aimee Kennedy, Senior Vice-President of Education and Philanthropy at Battelle. “This new STEAM designation reflects that commitment and honors the significant focus on arts and humanities at Herbert Mills.” Battelle manages the Ohio STEM Learning Network.  

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process.

“We are also excited to partner with BalletMet to bring dance and movement to the classroom,” said Mrs. Weeks.

Over the next few weeks, the school will update their branding to include their new STEAM designation.