The Tippecanoe STEAM Boosters Board of Directors met August 22 to consider a number of STEM Education grant applications and to plan activities for the upcoming school year. STEAM stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics”.
Grants approved totaled $9,942., and were made possible by generous investments in our students’ education and futures from area businesses and individuals, including Emerson Climate Technologies, Sidney; Aptalis, Vandalia; UTC Aerospace Systems (Goodrich), Troy; and from Tipp City, Regal Beloit (A.O.Smith), Tipp Eye Center, and a number of local families.
These grants will allow for the purchase of lab equipment and classroom technology including: twelve stereomicroscopes, biology/environmental science lab equipment, iPads for classroom research, and power point individual response tools for real time student participation in the classroom.
New members were welcomed including Julie Chitwood, Brian & Kerry Gootzeit, Katie Wahl, Ann May, Brian & Carli Dean, Doug & Sue Amlin, Brian Amlin, and Amlin Advantage/Remax Realty in Tipp City.
A report from Asst. School Superintendent, Dr. Gretta Kumpf, shared the status of the Math & Science Departments following the recent tax levy failure. The K-5 classes will be slightly larger. No changes in teachers or curriculum at the Middle School where the STEM Club will still be offered to interested students. THS science teacher Scott Snyder will now instruct the AP Biology classes and a new part time teacher will take over Snyder’s Environmental Science classes. The 9th Tippecanoe Science Fair will be held February 21, 2013. Planning for the competition will get underway shortly after school begins. Dr. Kumpf also reported that the Science Curriculum Review will take place this year, to be implemented in 2013-14.
Board members also heard a review on a new book designed to be a step by step guide for students conducting research. The Board determined that the “STEM – Student Research Handbook”, would be of great assistance to students with their Science Fair projects. Tippecanoe STEAM Boosters has ordered ten copies to be placed in the high school and middle school libraries. In addition, the Tipp City Public Library will make two copies available for student (or parent) use. Serious STEM students would benefit from owning their own copy.
The next Tippecanoe STEAM Boosters Board Meeting and Annual Member Meeting will be held Wednesday, September 19, 2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Tipp Board of Education office, 90 S. Tippecanoe Drive. Active members will vote on new Directors and proposed by-laws revisions. Anyone interested in supporting STEM Education for Tipp City students at all age levels are invited to attend, or better yet to join the organization.
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Learn more about the Tippecanoe STEAM Boosters at: www.tippecanoesteamboosters.com or contact: Dr. Martin English, 1470 W. Main Street, Tipp City, OH 45371; 937-667-3217; or email: steamboosters@swohio.twcbc.com
