Last Friday, we were honored to host a visit with Paolo DeMaria, ODE Superintendent of Public Instruction and Pete LuPiba, ODE Public Affairs Officer. During their visit, First Lego League Competition preparation was well underway. Metro Learning Lab students described their robotics and learning lab programs sharing their incredible experiences and the skills they have gained by participating in these programs. For us to best prepare our students for the future, we must rethink education as evidenced by these students.
Now in our 18th year, PAST Foundation is attracting select community members and aligning them with specific areas of focus. David Blum brings to PAST a wealth of experience in driving business growth and transformation through technology and marketing innovation. Dave wasted no time getting started. He nominated PAST for the CBF BizTech Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Service and along with BESA, we were selected. Dave will initially be helping us build our online offerings and virtual platform to allow us to achieve an even greater educational impact. Join us in welcoming Dave to PAST!
Many Thanks to Our Trustees
Clearly a part of PAST’s success can be attributed to the wonderful and diverse Board leadership we have enjoyed over the years. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to three such leaders moving to Emeritus status:
- Sandy Stroot, Immediate Past Chair, PAST Foundation and Interim Chair, College of Education & Human Ecology, The Ohio State University
- Michael O’Sullivan, Treasurer Emeritus, PAST Foundation and Retired Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Ohio Health Foundation
- Keene Haywood, Trustee, PAST Foundation and Director of Education & the Exploration Science Program, Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy, University of Miami
As our trustees move on to Emeritus status, they never truly leave us. On more than one occasion they will likely volunteer or be called on to participate in our projects. Just one of the many things we love about our Board!
Tribology Associates – A Collaborator of Applied Experience
Meet Terry Merriman, Owner of Tribology Associates. Tribology Associates is a collection of engineering industry experts in tribology (the science of friction wear and lubrication). With combined experience of over 80 years, this three-person operation has worked for renowned entities like Battelle and NASA. Their next venture? Working with central Ohio STEM laboratory education with early college students.
This is a match made in heaven! These expert engineers get to share their knowledge and experience with college-ready high school students. With an apprentice-type flavor, Terry and his team work to help students apply their knowledge to real-world problems finding amazing solutions. Imagine the experience these students can offer once they enter the workforce.
Tribology Associates is one of the collaborative organizations of Applied Experience (AXP), a social enterprise that inspires innovation in products and people as they embrace community impact as a leading measure of success.
PAST Supports State Legislation to Boost Computer Science in Schools
Last week, the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 170, legislation that would create academic content standards and model curriculum for computer science in Ohio schools. The bill will next go to the House of Representatives for concurrence and then to Governor Kasich for his signature. PAST’s President and CEO, Dr. Annalies Corbin, testified in support of the bill, because PAST Foundation believes this bill moves the state in the right direction toward addressing gaps in workforce development by allowing computer science to stand on its own as a critical learning objective for Ohio students. “Allowing computer science to count as a science or math credit as part of the minimum high school curriculum provides students flexibility for more exposure to elements of computer science, which has shown to be critical in sustaining interest in STEM-related higher education and career paths,” says Dr. Corbin. “I look forward to the enactment of this important legislation.”
Introducing Anastasia Bucknail
Need a last-minute gift? How about giving a gift that inspires and taps into your child’s imagination? Most parents want to encourage their children’s imaginations and help them dream, but may not know where to begin. It may be as simple as reading a book together. Ohio resident, Marina Rae Cheney, author of Introducing Anastasia Bucknail: Anastasia and the Fairy Circle tells a fascinating story of wonder and discovery. Her second book, Anastasia Bucknail and the Catfish Caper is also now available.
Expand Your Design Skills with Minecraft!
Minecraft Mathematics is one of our most popular student programs. Our first session is full, but we have space available in the second session beginning February 26th. Open to students in 3rd-5th grades, they will experience a variety of tasks designed to foster an understanding of proportional and algebraic reasoning, scale, and coordinate plane geometry. Space is limited, so register today.
