William kirby
Huber Heights schools
Passage of Issue 1 on May 4 extends the Ohio Third Frontier Program and continues funding for research and development in support of Ohio industry, commerce and business.
The Ohio Third Frontier Program is designed to build world-class research programs, support early-stage companies and promote technology development. Our school district is already responding to the educational requirements necessary for the success of the Ohio Third Frontier Program through the incorporation of an integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum in our classrooms.
With the extension of the Ohio Third Frontier Program, every high school graduate needs essential competencies in STEM as preparation for postsecondary education or the workplace. STEM education helps create an Ohio workforce prepared for the challenges of the 21st century global economy.
To respond to the need for STEM education, the Huber Heights City Schools is working closely with the STEM Center at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center. Initially, the STEM Center has focused on curriculum development aligned to Ohio’s Academic Content Standards and built around the four areas identified as economic growth areas in Ohio.
These areas are Power and Propulsion, Sensors, Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, and Human Effectiveness and Medicine. The STEM Center also will offer training and support for teachers so that educators are skilled in both problem-based learning and the STEM curriculum.
Our collaboration with the STEM Center complements the math-science initiatives under way in the Huber Heights City School District, including Math Short Cycle Assessments, STAR-Base with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Gateway to Technology and Project Lead the Way. Our efforts with both Project Lead the Way and Gateway to Technology are strengthened due to the close proximity of the state-wide training center, located at Sinclair Community College, to our school district.
We have adopted a technology curriculum that includes both formal instruction in technology skills and opportunities for students to utilize these newly acquired technology skills as a way to support their learning in other subject areas. To fully implement the technology curriculum, each of our seven elementary schools, our middle schools, and our high school are equipped with at least one full-size computer lab. Through the generosity of the Huber Heights Athletic Foundation, our staff members also have the opportunity to request funding for classroom technology to support student learning through a technology grant program.
For high school students wanting a more intensive technology curriculum, Miami Valley Career Technology Center offers a tech prep strand to junior and senior students at their campus on Hoke Road. Ultimately our goal with STEM is to prepare all students with the skills and knowledge necessary to fully participate in the high-demand, high-paying careers that are available and growing in the Dayton region.
William Kirby is superintendent of Huber Heights Schools. He can be contacted at 237-6300 or William.Kirby@huberheightscityschools.org.
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