Akron STEM Hub

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter for the OSLN Akron Region, serving 13 counties across Northeast Ohio. This newsletter will be a resource for sharing important news, upcoming events, professional learning opportunities, and innovative practices happening throughout our region and the state. Our goal is to keep schools and districts informed, connected, and inspired while supporting the growth and implementation of high-quality STE(A)M education. By sharing ideas, successes, and opportunities across our network, we hope to strengthen collaboration and increase the use of STE(A)M best practices throughout the Akron Region.

We are excited to announce the launch of the new and improved Akron STEM Hub website! The site is a valuable resource, showcasing our STE(A)M-designated schools across all 13 counties in our region, along with information, resources, and opportunities to connect.

Be sure to check back often for upcoming school spotlights, regional news, and highlights of the amazing STEM work happening throughout Northeast Ohio. We can't wait to share more!

Our first-ever AI Workshop for Northeast Ohio was a tremendous success! The STEM Hubs of Akron, Northeast, and Northwest Ohio came together to collaboratively host this exciting event, welcoming more than 100 participants and featuring 20 presenters. Held on October 5, 2026, at the BGSU Firelands Campus in Huron, the workshop brought educators together to explore the role of artificial intelligence in education.

The excitement doesn't stop here! Save the date for our 2nd Annual AI Workshop on October 5, 2027, returning to the BGSU Firelands Campus in Huron. We look forward to another great opportunity to learn, collaborate, and explore what's next in AI!

Franklin Elementary was our Fall Spotlight School, and we cannot thank Principal Sunaina Kelly and her staff enough for their warm welcome and willingness to open their doors to visiting STE(A)M-curious schools. They provided participants with a wealth of examples of what STEM education looks like in action!

Visitors had the opportunity to connect with teachers, speak with the principal, and even hear directly from students about their STEM experiences. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the Ohio STEM Quality Model come to life through the work happening every day in their classrooms.

A huge thank-you to Franklin Elementary for sharing your expertise, showcasing your amazing work, and inspiring others along the way!

Here are a few photos showcasing the schools’ PBL work, proudly displayed throughout the hallways of this K–4 school!

The Akron Hub had the opportunity to visit the school during its Monday morning meeting, where learners were busy prototyping a new attraction for the Dollywood theme park. This project took on an especially meaningful connection following the recent tragic loss of Dolly Parton. Learners researched Dolly’s life and background, looking for ways to incorporate something meaningful, memorable, or extraordinary about her legacy into their designs.

The groups were incredibly engaged and demonstrated thoughtful, creative thinking throughout the process. It was exciting to see how they connected their research to their innovative ideas. We can’t wait to see what their final projects look like!

Need on demand professional development to support your STE(A)M initiatives?? Well look at what OSLN has to offer in their new learning suite series. Check it out today!

What does it take to build STEM and STEAM learning that connects students with their communities and future careers? Join the Northeast Ohio STEM Hub and regional partners for a day of learning, conversation, and regional connection.

Connected Futures brings together school teams, educators, district leaders, ESC staff, and regional partners. Explore the Ohio Quality Model for STEM and STEAM Education and take a closer look at the STEM/STEAM Designation Rubric as tools for strengthening school practices. You will also hear perspectives from designated schools in our region and connect with partners who can help bring career-connected learning to life.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 16, 2027, as the Ohio STEM Learning Network welcomes educators, school leaders, industry partners, and STEM advocates from across the state to the Ohio STEM Innovation Summit at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

As the Ohio STEM Innovation Summit celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2027, attendees will join a milestone event honoring five years of collaboration, innovation, and impact across Ohio’s STEM education community. Building on the momentum of the 2026 Summit, which brought together more than 500 participants for a day of learning, collaboration, celebration, and inspiration, Summit 2027 will continue to showcase the innovative work happening throughout Ohio’s STEM network. Attendees can expect engaging professional learning sessions, meaningful networking opportunities, a dynamic keynote experience, the Hall of Inspiration, interactive exhibitors, and recognition of Ohio’s STEM-designated schools.

Join the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) for an informational session about the 2027 OSLN STEM Education Grant Program, funded by Battelle. This one-hour webinar walks schools through the program’s new systems-level approach, the three grant tracks, eligibility, and how to apply.

The program supports Ohio schools in expanding and sustaining high-quality STEM learning. For the 2027 round, awards shift to a systems-level approach, helping schools scale impactful STEM practices and evolve into hubs of interdisciplinary, career-connected teaching and learning.

Grant tracks:

• Ignite STEM ($10,000): For schools beginning their STEM journey. Not open to currently designated Ohio STEM or STEAM schools.
• Strengthen STEM ($15,000): For schools building on existing STEM efforts.
• Innovate STEM ($15,000): For schools with established STEM systems.

Public Ohio schools (public, community/charter, or independent STEM schools) are eligible. Applications open February 2, 2027 and close March 29, 2027.

Register on Zoom to attend. For more information, contact OSLN@battelle.org.

Stay up to date on STEM/STEM Designation. Use the following link for step-by step supports to guide schools through the designation.

This year's challenge:

#STEMmakesOhio

This year’s statewide design challenge partners with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association and the U.S. National Science Foundation HAMMER Engineering Research Center.

The 2026-2027 challenge question is:

How can we change or improve how we make things so we can build materials, parts, and products in new places or environments?

In other words, how can we think of new ways to make things in unusual or surprising places?

Develop a plan, system, or product to make the future of manufacturing possible in new places.

For more information or to be included in the next newsletter contact:

Sandy Cline

Akron STEM Hub Director

scline@apslearns.org