K-16 STEM in the NEWS

Regional Science Teacher Named Ohio Teacher of the Year

The State Board of Education of Ohio is proud to announce that Christopher Monsour, a high school science teacher at Columbian High School in the Tiffin City School District, has been named the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paul Craft made the surprise public announcement today during a schoolwide assembly at Columbian High School.

“Ohio’s students interact every day with amazing teachers, so the challenge of selecting just one educator to represent those tens of thousands of wonderful educators around our state is daunting,” said Superintendent Craft. “Each year the selection committees at the regional and state levels do an amazing job of finding a candidate who reflects the excellence of the profession and their colleagues, and this year is no exception.”

Monsour currently teaches high school biology, environmental science, and anatomy & physiology at Tiffin Columbian High School.

“Christopher Monsour represents the best of what every educator should aspire to be; dedicated and passionate with a perfect balance of high expectations for all students coupled with the will to provide whatever support those students need to be successful,” Mr. Craft said. “I couldn’t be more excited, on behalf of the State Board of Education, to congratulate him on this incredible achievement.”

With 26 years of teaching experience, Monsour has had the opportunity to teach a wide range of subjects before finding his true calling in advanced sciences. He is committed to creating a stimulating learning environment that promotes academic achievement and a lifelong passion for science. Specializing in biology, evolution, microbiology, and anatomy, he designs and delivers engaging hands-on laboratory exercises and field trips to enhance understanding and foster curiosity beyond traditional classroom lectures.

“I feel honored to have been able to see Chris show his passion for his students and teaching through the Ohio Teacher of the Year process. It is a reminder of how lucky Ohio is to have talented teachers like Chris,” State Board of Education President Paul LaRue said.

About Christopher Monsour

Chris Monsour did not originally pursue teaching as a career. When he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Heidelberg University, he originally planned to pursue a career in environmental biology. At that time, Tiffin City Schools was in desperate need of a high school science teacher, so Monsour signed on as a substitute teacher, during which he discovered his passion for teaching and the importance of obtaining a formal teaching license. Since then, Monsour has pursued graduate work in biology, ecology, and inquiry, earning two master's degrees: a Master of Arts in Education from Heidelberg University and a Master of Science from Montana State University.

Monsour’s teaching background also includes four years as a student study session consultant for AP Biology, ten summers of teaching at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, where he served as both an instructor and the Academic Dean for Science and Math, and two summers teaching English as a Second Language at Tianjin Normal University in the People’s Republic of China. He continues to participate in global expeditions, both on land and at sea, with the goal to enhance his ability to bring the world and content to his students in a way that keeps them engaged and excited about the sciences.

About the Ohio Teacher of the Year Program

Earlier this year, school administrators, fellow educators, parents, students and community members nominated teachers for Ohio’s State Board District Teacher of the Year. In July, Monsour received the State Board District 1 Teacher of the Year recognition– one of 11 teachers statewide to receive the district-level honor. From the field of 11, Monsour was one of four teachers named as a finalist for Ohio Teacher of the Year. As the Ohio Teacher of the Year, Monsour will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession and public education and represent Ohio in the 2026 National Teacher of the Year selection and programming sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The Ohio Teacher of the Year program began in 1964. Details about the selection process, the list of previous recipients and additional program information are available on the State Board of Education website.

Community STEM in the NEWS

How Incarnate Word Academy built a growth-mindset culture and earned its STEAM designation

The Ohio STEM Committee granted STEAM school designation to Incarnate Word Academy (IWA), a private school located in Parma Heights, Ohio in 2024. Established as an elementary school in 1935 with the motto “To Learn, Love and Serve,” the school has a long history of serving the greater Cleveland community. In 2017, IWA expanded to include a preparatory academy for grades 6-8. In both 2013 and 2023, IWA was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence—an honor given by the U.S. Department of Education to schools that demonstrate academic excellence and help close achievement gaps among student groups.

To find out more about Incarnate Word Academy’s road to becoming a designated STEAM School and its approach to STEAM education, the Ohio STEM Learning Network asked Principal Steffany Congelio the following questions.

Profiles of the 2025 schools will be coming soon. To learn more about STEM/STEAM designation, including upcoming webinars, visit this page: STEM designation

Q: Tell us about your school, its students, its mission, and the community that it serves.

A: Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) is a premiere, independent Catholic school located in Parma Heights. We are a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, and we opened our doors in 1935. The Sisters built the school with a commitment to delivering a superior education in an environment rooted in faith with the highest ethical values and conduct.

We serve 391 students from preschool through grade 8. The IWA student body represents four counties, 20 local communities, and over 50 places of worship. We have many families in which parents or children are first-generation Americans, and these families come from more than 25 different countries.

In addition to being a STEAM School, we are a Purple Star School, a designation that honors our commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.

Q: Why did you seek the statewide STEAM School Designation? What was involved in seeking the designation, and, as principal, what did you learn from the process?

A: Receiving the STEAM School Designation was amazing. However, our intentions have always been about providing outstanding opportunities and experiences for our students so that they can live the Gospel values, become life-long learners, reach their fullest potential, and be engaged members of our Catholic community and world.

Seeking the designation required a lot of patience, determination, and reflection on the part of our administration and faculty. There is no “lesson plan” that outlines how to accomplish this goal. Through lots of trial and error, we learned what worked for us, although we continue to learn and evolve responding to the needs of our students, faculty, and community.

I knew that receiving the STEAM designation would be an outstanding accomplishment, but what I don’t think I realized was how profound the process would be on our community. By doing the work, we have learned to push the boundaries, exceeding our expectations. Our students have become great self advocates and engaged community members who want to make a difference. Our teachers step outside of their comfort zones, and our community partnerships have grown in ways that I would not have imagined.

Click Here to read the complete story!

STEM Opportunities

Women in STEM Presenters Needed



Presentation Proposals are now being accepted for the 42nd Annual Women in STEM program at BGSU!

Thursday, October 22, 2025

The goal of the Women in STEM program at BGSU is to provide a rewarding experience for 6th - 8th graders that connects STEM education to the real world and sparks an interest in pursuing STEM majors in high school and beyond and ultimately STEM careers.

There will be groups of approximately 15 -20 students with adult supervision in each break-out session. Sessions should include innovative and creative hands-on activities that are fun-filled and engaging. We would like to foster a collaborative growth-minded atmosphere in the breakout sessions that gives students opportunities to interact with one another and YOU as a STEM academic/career role model. 

NWO provides classroom and/or lab space, AV equipment, and support.

The deadline to register is September 19th, 2025

Registration link: Registration link: https://forms.gle/1abbE7QL75KgUpRT6

STEMPlate

A STEM and Food Family Festival 

The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education in the BGSU College of Education and Human Development, announces its newest event, STEMPlate! In partnership with the BGSU Falcon Food Pantry and BGSU Dining Services, this family-friendly, hands-on festival, will be held on December 7th, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will invite participants to explore STEM education, sustainable food systems, and the power of knowledge in shaping a more nourished future. Through interactive workshops, science experiments, food demonstrations, and engaging discussions, families and participants will be empowered with the tools to understand where their food comes from and how technology shapes the future of food access. Participants will explore engaging hands-on and inquiry-based STEM exhibits, while discovering science-based food solutions. We are now seeking companies and organizations to host activity tables at the event.

Interested exhibitors may find more information on the NWO website: https://www.bgsu.edu/nwo/programs/stemplate.html Look for more details on this new event to be announced soon!

The Northwest Ohio STEM Collaborative

Join the first NWO STEM Collaborative event of 2025-2026 at the Toledo Zoo on October 28, 2025 from 3:45 pm 5:00 pm.

Inquiry Unleashed: Bringing Zoo Learning to Your Classroom

This session, guided by the Toledo Zoo’s Education Department, will showcase how educators can implement inquiry based learning in the classroom. Participants will also

enjoy some special zoo interactions and learn about available educational outreach programs.

Space is limited - grab a colleague and register today at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl8Z71DJpY292y87kxgn_Cl5_UlJMmZJ9H18jjr5CO7Ykxyg/viewform

Date: 3:45pm - 5:00 pm

Location: The Toledo Zoo Carson Family Education Center

Time: 3:45pm - 5:00 pm

Target Audience:K-12 Teachers, Administrators, Counselors and Coaches

Question: Natalie Crotte ncrotte@esclakeeriewest.org

Please mark your calendar for the additional NWO STEM Collaborative dates:

January 14, 2026 and April 23, 2026

Ohio STEM Learning Network #STEMmovesOhio Design Challenge

NWO invites area educators and administrators to attend a professional learning session with the Northwest Ohio Center of Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU, a hub of the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN).

This interactive session will provide professional development, resources, and opportunities to network with fellow educators and industry partners. The kickoff event is a great way to connect, learn, and prepare for a successful challenge experience.

When: September 25, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

(refreshments, light lunch provided)

Where: BGSU Levis Commons, 1655 N Wilkinson Way, 

Perrysburg, OH 43551

Register Here: https://forms.gle/7dyioqEH67XP4iL77

For more information: https://www.bgsu.edu/nwo/programs/OSLNdesignchallenge.html

Ohio STEM Learning Network Opportunity

OSLN STE(A)M Designation Q&A

Join the Ohio STEM Learning Network for an essential in-depth question and answer session. This interactive webinar will provide comprehensive information about the Ohio STEM and STEAM Designation Rubric, the designation process, and available technical supports.

This session is specifically designed for principals and teacher leaders interested in pursuing STEM or STEAM designation for their schools. This standalone webinar, facilitated by Sandra Wilder and Sarah Redick, connects directly to the Ohio STEM designation process and offers school leaders the opportunity to get answers to their specific questions in real-time. No preparation is required to participate, making this an accessible entry point for schools at any stage of their STEM journey.



November 3rd, 2025, 1p - 2:30p - Registration and details

C2S2 Professional Development Opportunities

Meditation for Wellness Online Series

with Rachel Wixey of WorkWell

Four virtual evening meetings 

4:00 – 5:30 pm through Zoom

The trainings will occur on the following Mondays - 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, and 11/24

8 Contact Hours Total

More information and registration can be found here.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Multiple Sessions & Locations to Choose From

Earn 8 Contact Hours Total, including 2 for online pre & post work

Who should attend?

Training is open to all adults who work with youth – parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, group leaders, coaches, and other caring citizens.

There is no cost to participate.

More information and registration can be found here.

DriveOhio Educator Toolkit

DriveOhio is thrilled to announce fresh updates to its Educator Toolkit for the 2025–26 school year! Designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, the toolkit now features expanded STEM modules, hands-on activities, alignment with the latest Ohio learning standards, new instructional videos, and real-world connections to smart mobility technologies. Whether you're returning to the classroom or exploring the toolkit for the first time, these enhancements aim to make learning about Ohio’s transportation future more interactive, accessible, and aligned with your curriculum needs.

Explore the toolkit: https://drive.ohio.gov/workforce/educator-toolkit?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

School is back in session, and so are Virtual Farm Trips!

Visit VirtualFarmTrips.com to: 

• Register for September trips to apple orchards, corn & soybean farms and a wind turbine; and view more trips to come
• Can't make a live trip? View on-demand recordings!
• Sign-up to get notified of new trips!

Learning Blade

With school back in session, now is the perfect time to put Learning Blade into action!

Ways to Use Learning Blade:

• Whole-class lessons using interactive missions to introduce STEM, CS, and CTE careers.
• Independent student work for self-paced exploration and skill-building.
• Career exploration days with activities tied to career clusters and real-world problems.
• Cross-curricular projects that connect academic standards to career pathways.
• After-school or enrichment programs to extend learning beyond the school day.
• With 500+ online student lessons and ready-to-use teacher plans, Learning Blade makes it simple to blend career-connected learning with your curriculum—right from the start of the school year.

Sign up for your FREE account: www.LearningBlade.com/States

Schedule a demo to get expert tips and support for implementing Learning Blade in your school or classroom: Schedule Here

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Computer Science Temporary Licensure

As part of Ohio's effort to increase computer science education, Ohio has made permanent the provision that allows a school district, community school, or STEM school to permit an individual who holds a valid educator license in any of grades kindergarten through twelve to teach a computer science course. This is possible if, prior to teaching the course, the individual completes a professional development program, approved by the district superintendent or school principal, that provides content knowledge specific to the course the individual will teach.

This provision allows the individual to teach a computer science course in a school district or school that employed the individual at the time the individual completed the professional development program.

The superintendent or principal shall approve any professional development program endorsed by the organization that creates and administers the national Advanced Placement examinations as appropriate for the course the individual will teach.

• The superintendent or principal MUST approve any College Board professional development.
• The superintendent or principal MAY approve any other professional development.

To ensure all data is reported accurately and to provide schools, districts, and the public with an accurate picture of how your district is serving students, the Department has created the Computer Science Eligibility Verification Form for reporting the computer science courses and teacher professional development that was completed. The deadline for the Computer Science Eligibility Verification for the FY 2026 school year is December 31, 2025.



Please contact computerscience@education.ohio.gov with any questions.

NWO STEM Activity

Food Detectives

Brought to you:

https://fooddetectives.org/

Nutrition education made easy.

Learning about food is fun, eye-opening, and easily digestible with our free, standards-aligned, interactive lessons at home or in the classroom.



Free, fun, learning standards aligned nutrition education at your fingertips.

Designed for ease and impact, our workshop is built for fourth and fifth grade classrooms. It takes the prep work off your plate so you can focus on guiding curious minds.



https://fooddetectives.org/

Share Your Story!

Thank you for your support of NWO, our programs, our activities, and our partners. Please send us updates, press releases, and news of STEM happenings at your school, district, or organization. Please submit to nwo@bgsu.edu. We are always looking for great STEM education stories to feature in upcoming newsletters.   

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