LIFT Announces Launch of Ohio STEM Learning Platform
MakerMinded, which includes educational programs, games and a statewide competition later in 2017, is intended to provide STEM learning experiences to students from 35 schools in Ohio.
The Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT; Columbus, Ohio) national manufacturing institute has announced the launch of MakerMinded in Ohio. The effort is made in partnership with Battelle and Tennessee Tech University’s iCube. MakerMinded is a new online STEM learning and competition platform designed to inspire students about advanced manufacturing and provide them with transformational STEM learning experiences that set them on track towards 21st century manufacturing careers.
MakerMinded’s digital platform will connect Ohio students to STEM and advanced manufacturing education experiences while galvanizing participating students and schools around a student-driven, pro-manufacturing campaign and competition. Examples of programs included on the platform are Learning Blade, a mission-driven online STEM curriculum; Science Olympiad, standards-based science challenges; and the LIFT Assembly Line virtual reality game.
Battelle will recruit students through the Ohio STEM Learning Network, which represents 35 STEM schools across the state.
“Parents and students understand that STEM careers are lucrative. That’s not the problem. Instead, we must find ways to show students that these majors and jobs could be the right option for them. That’s where MakerMinded comes in,” says Aimee Kennedy, senior vice president of education, STEM learning and philanthropy at Battelle. “By delivering fun, self-driven learning experiences, MakerMinded will show more students that STEM is for them.”
Manufacturers employ around 700,000 Ohioans with a total payroll of $39 billion, according to the Ohio Manufacturers Association. The industry is important to Ohio’s economy, ranking the largest of any other sector and accounting for more than 16% of the state’s output.
The MakerMinded Ohio competition will officially launch in August 2017 at the start of the school year.
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