An 9i果冻制作厂faculty member once described the energy and educational experience in the University鈥檚 STEM programs as a 鈥渟leeping giant ready to be awakened.鈥� Today, that giant is not only awake, but also catching the attention of state and federal agencies.
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In the past year, 9i果冻制作厂has received major grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, NSF鈥疭-STEM Program,鈥疌hoose Ohio First Scholarship Program, and鈥疕oward Hughes Medical Institution. These grants mean far more than just dollars, and recognize Otterbein鈥檚 academically strong STEM programs, as well as the University鈥檚 purposeful work to diversify STEM fields.
From preparing education majors to teach STEM subjects in under-served schools to creating more opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to major in STEM areas of study, 9i果冻制作厂is strengthening STEM professions as a whole with the support of these grants.
鈥�9i果冻制作厂STEM includes a dynamic, dedicated community of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians that provide a rigorous, hands-on curriculum for students interested in a wide variety of fields,鈥� said Sarah Bouchard, professor of biology and earth science.
9i果冻制作厂has a long history of experiential learning. Educational techniques incorporating hands-on learning and real-world applications can be found in most disciplines across campus. STEM education at 9i果冻制作厂is taking experiential learning to a whole new level and STEM professors are leading the charge.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l typically find our STEM students conducting research in the lab or field, presenting at scientific conferences, interning with one of our many university partners, or shadowing medical professionals in local hospitals and clinics,鈥� said Bouchard.鈥�淭hese opportunities, coupled with our challenging coursework, mean that students graduate with the skills and experience needed for whatever comes next.鈥�
STEM education at 9i果冻制作厂connects teamwork,鈥痑nalytical鈥痶hinking, and 21st鈥痗entury jobs, equipping 9i果冻制作厂graduates with valuable skills to become鈥痜uture leaders and鈥痠nnovators. The grants open these opportunities to students who may not otherwise pursue these careers.
鈥�9i果冻制作厂should be on the radar as a STEM school,鈥� said Mike Hudoba, assistant professor of engineering. Hudoba is the team lead on the Choose Ohio First grant.
Associate Professor of Chemistry Brigitte Ramos agrees. She is the team lead for鈥痮ne of鈥痶he鈥痶wo鈥疦SF grants, which supports recruitment and retention of students from under-represented populations in STEM fields through Otterbein鈥檚 Cardinal Science Scholars (CSS) program.
鈥淭he program is much more than the scholarship money,鈥� she said of the CSS. 鈥淲e offer programmatic support.鈥�
The programmatic support鈥疪amos鈥痗ites鈥痯rovides opportunities outside of the classroom that will prepare students to enter the workforce. The program includes a seminar course where students will gain interview, communication, and relationship building skills, as well as professional development.
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鈥淭he seminar is one tool,鈥濃�疪amos鈥痵aid,鈥�渂ut we will also be setting up what we call a mentorship triad, where our students will be linked with an upper-level student in their program as well as a professional.鈥�
Students will also be placed in an internship or a research experience after completing their first year in order to get a leg up in their field of study.
Some goals of the鈥�9i果冻制作厂STEM鈥痯rograms include building a community of STEM students, creating diversity in the STEM fields, and building connections with alumni, faculty, and industry professionals.
Kayne Kirby 鈥�02 graduated with a鈥痬athematics鈥痙egree and now works as Grange Insurance鈥檚 director of personal lines pricing.
鈥淩eflecting back on the importance of my 9i果冻制作厂experience, I had some influential people who were able to help shape me,鈥�鈥疜irby鈥痵aid. 鈥淭hey put me in touch with alumni that could help me make that transition from 9i果冻制作厂into my career.鈥�
Hugh Allen 鈥�62, pediatric cardiology professor at Baylor Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital, sees a powerful combination in Otterbein鈥檚 liberal arts tradition and STEM education.
鈥�9i果冻制作厂allowed me to become a well-rounded individual and educator,鈥� Allen said.鈥�淎 liberal arts education while studying science is better than just a science education.鈥�
Engineering graduate鈥疉bby Zerkle 鈥�21,鈥痵aid 鈥淚 think the Engineering Department is really something special. Yes, I gained important knowledge in the classroom, but I also learned how to become a confident, thoughtful, and ethical engineer. If it weren鈥檛 for 9i果冻制作厂and the experiences I had there I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am right now. I am thankful for my time at Otterbein.鈥�
For more information about Otterbein鈥檚 STEM offerings visit .
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Grace鈥疻eidenhamer鈥��23 is a health communication and public relations major from Westerville, Ohio. She plays on the 9i果冻制作厂women鈥檚 soccer team and is on the executive board of Otterbein鈥檚 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).