Lehman Catholic and Holy Angels Schools are awarded the Governor's Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education. 

The Ohio Academy of Science selected 45 Ohio schools and 491 teachers to receive The Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM education and Student Research for their accomplishments during the 2020-2021 school year. Each school received a special Governor’s Award certificate, and each teacher received a complimentary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science. The Technology Division of the Ohio Development Services Agency funded the program.

Lehman Catholic science teachers who received the award are Denny Maas, Kevin Cameron, Leah Velez, Melissa Safreed, Pam Wendel, Sr. Ginny Scherer, Tony Wagner, and Tracy Hall. The Lehman Catholic Science Department has received the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award every year since 1988.

Holy Angels science teachers who received the award are Carrie O’Leary, Ellen Brandon, and Gwen Stiver.

The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are to conduct a local science fair with twelve or more students, to have two or more of these students participate in the 2021 Virtual District Science Day, and to have at least two students participate in at least one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom. Lehman participates in Science Olympiad, Ohio Energy Project, TEAMS, and Envirothon.

The Ohio Academy of Science defines STEM education as both the mastery and integration of science technology, engineering, and mathematics for all PK‐12 students. It incorporates scientific inquiry and technological design through student‐focused, project-based curricula to develop skills of communication, teamwork/collaboration, creativity/innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

First established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards recognizes Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate scientific student research and technological design and extend opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. Students must participate in one or more youth science opportunities beyond the classroom, including State Science Day, The Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Buckeye Science and Engineering Fair, Science Olympiad, and other structured STEM‐related youth activities.

“These schools and teachers are connecting classrooms to the real world by demonstrating the relevance of STEM,” said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy’s Executive Director, “they are developing a group of active and intrinsic learners”.

“Lehman Catholic and Holy Angels have a strong history of excellence in STEM education,” said Sr. Ginny Scherer, “none of this happens without faculty and volunteers from both schools who are dedicated and care about providing the very best opportunities and education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. What truly makes us unique is how we bring an understanding of our Catholic Christian faith into our STEM classrooms to gain a better understanding of the beauty of God’s creation.”

The mission of Lehman Catholic High School is to be great by fostering individual excellence, discovery, and dynamic faith. Learn more about the value of Catholic education by visiting LehmanCatholic.com or holyangelscatholic.com.