After Battelle started Ohio’s first STEM school in 2006 (Metro Early College High School), the state recognized the value in providing this STEM education experience to students across Ohio. Two years later, the state budget allocated $13 million in Race to the Top funding to establish STEM schools and programs in Ohio. Battelle contributed an additional $17 million to launch the state network.
For more than a decade, STEM-designated schools have led the charge in creating partnerships with local businesses, creating work-based learning experiences for Ohio students. Local schools, industries and communities noticed. The first five STEM schools in Ohio have grown to over eighty designated schools today.Â
The Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, (also managed by Battelle) is modeled after Ohio’s network. Both the Ohio and Tennessee join with over twenty other state STEM networks through STEMx, a national network.Â