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Believe in Ohio
2,500 students
compete for cash awards and scholarships
Columbus (February 18, 2015) ... More than 2,500 high school students
at 76 Believe in Ohio schools in 38 counties will compete in Ohio's
future innovation economy by developing science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) commercialization and STEM business
plans.
Competition judges for The Ohio Academy of Science will award nearly $1
million in cash awards and scholarships to Ohio colleges and
universities.
“Believe in Ohio is the only statewide Ohio student STEM education
program to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation as pathways to
create future jobs,” said Dr. Lynn Elfner, CEO Emeritus of The Ohio
Academy of Science and Co-Director of Believe in Ohio.
Believe in Ohio is a STEM student entrepreneurship program of The Ohio
Academy of Science funded by The Ohio General Assembly. The program
develops Ohio's next generation of Ohio's innovators to create jobs
through the application of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics and to innovate new products and services.
Students must brainstorm mileposts along an “Ohio Roadmap to Future
Jobs and Prosperity.”
Mileposts include statement of a problem, proposed solution, underlying
STEM concepts, target customers and intended users, an assessment of
competitors, value proposition or competitive advantage, revenue
streams and operating costs. Competition reports require an elevator
speech and an executive summary. STEM commercialization plans must
contain a scientific or engineering proof of concept while STEM
business plans also must provide a business or financial proof of
concept with a three-year budget.
The Ohio Academy of Science and Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio
developed the program entitled Believe In Ohio–A STEM Bridge to Ohio’s
Innovation Economy of the Future with support from The Ohio General
Assembly and The Ohio Board of Regents. Further information on Believe
In Ohio is available at www.BelieveinOhio.org.
Darke County schools currently involved in the program are Greenville,
Tri-Village and Bradford.
About the Believe in Ohio program:
Believe in Ohio is a free new program from the Ohio Academy of Science
that helps high school students prepare for the future. The program was
developed in collaboration with Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio with
the support of the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio General Assembly.
Believe in Ohio is the only statewide Ohio student STEM education
program to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation as pathways to
create future jobs.
The program helps prepare students to become “competitors” in Ohio's
innovation economy of the future and to be part of Ohio's next
generation of innovators who will create the new product services and
jobs of the future through the application of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
Ohio was once one of the most innovative, entrepreneurial and
prosperous states in the Nation, however, over the last 40 years it
lost its way along with hundreds of thousands of good jobs. Unlike
other states, Ohio confronted the problem and created the Ohio Third
Frontier, which has been the catalyst for the creation of Ohio's
Innovation Economy of the Future.
Regrettably, however, few Ohio students know that Ohio’s Innovation
Economy includes dozens of venture development organizations and
incubators, and many of the nation’s leading research universities and
other research and development programs. Thus, one of the principal
goals of the Believe in Ohio program is to tell students that “It’s
Time to Believe in Ohio Again” and that Ohio is a good place for them
to create their future.
Believe in Ohio helps students understand the challenge and opportunity
the future presents and how to prepare for it through STEM forums,
virtual field trips and online courses into Ohio's Innovation Economy
of the future. It also helps students develop the critical thinking
skills they will need later in life.
Believe in Ohio helps students understand the importance of a STEM
education and entrepreneurial mindset if they are to become competitors
in Ohio's Innovation Economy of the future. It does this through
engagement with STEM and entrepreneurial experts and mentors, and
participation in STEM Commercialization Plan and STEM Business Plan
competitions in which students compete for nearly one million dollars
in cash awards and scholarships. The program inspires students to
pursue their education and careers in Ohio by introducing them to
Ohio's robust R&D and entrepreneurial ecosystem that offers great
opportunities for them to create their future.
Additionally, Believe in Ohio benefits Ohio's high school STEM and
business teachers through participation grants, professional
development and more. It can also help them become accomplished
teachers under Ohio's new teacher evaluation system.
To find out more about the Believe in Ohio program, visit our website
at www.BelieveInOhio.org or call The Ohio Academy of Science at
614-914-5095.
From the Director
Believe in Ohio Seeks Judges and Mentors
Believe in Ohio is a STEM student entrepreneurship program of The Ohio
Academy of Science to develop the next generation of Ohio
entrepreneurs.
Judges
The Academy seeks volunteers to JUDGE for Believe in Ohio Regional
online-only (March 12-25) and/or State in-person (April 25th in Central
Ohio) STEM Commercialization and STEM Business Plans from high school
students. The Regional competition qualifies students for the State
Competition and the opportunity to receive nearly $2 million in awards
and scholarships. Most regional judges will have only 5-7, twelve-page
project reports to review online and at their own pace from March
12-25. There will be no face-to-face meetings regionally. To JUDGE,
please visit: http://fs19.formsite.com/targetmar/form9/index.html
Mentors
We are also seeking MENTORS for high school students for Believe in
Ohio STEM commercialization or business plans. Contact is limited to
phone, email and mail and requires a minimum of time.
To MENTOR, please visit:
http://fs19.formsite.com/targetmar/form7/index.html
The Academy has promoted science and science education in Ohio since
1891. The Academy and Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio developed Believe
in Ohio collaboratively with support from The Ohio Board of Regents and
the Ohio General Assembly. See www.believeinohio.org.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lynn E. Elfner, CEO Emeritus
The Ohio Academy of
Science
Co-Director, Believe In Ohio
Download the application for judges here
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