Bob Midden spoke at a meeting Friday on the benefits of establishing STEM education in Tiffin City Schools.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Midden, director of the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education, discussed the key points STEM provides toward economic growth and strength and global competitiveness.
Midden, also a faculty member at Bowling Green State University, said the center provides and assists in establishing partnerships with higher education institutions, K-12 school districts and numerous business and non-profit organizations in northwest Ohio.
A STEM education provides a strong foundation to jobs in these fields, he said.
Students will be able to understand and use techniques such as using the scientific method and technology design to comprehend and use problem-solving in real world situations, he said.
"Without the proper skill sets in place, industries will have a problem recruiting and filling positions," Midden said.
Ohio will put in place new learning standards in 2014-15. These new standards will expand on common core standards. Students will be able to focus more on the use of data and analyzing data and relating it to other educational departments other than science or math, and also collaborating with other students in a team atmosphere.
"There will be an inability for these industries to expand and grow and, in turn, will affect the economy as a whole," Midden said.
During a TCS board of education meeting this week, Robert Boes, principal of Tiffin Middle School, presented a project to start tentatively in February. The project is to hold STEM-designed seminars on the weekend for 3-4 weeks.
These seminars will be targeting seventh graders interested in manufacturing or technical careers.
"The seminars will have a curriculum that will help students further develop critical thinking skills," Boes said.
These seminars were funded through a grant from the National Machinery Foundation.
There are jobs that cannot be filled because they do not have individuals who match the skill set, said Scott Urban, TCS?director of instruction and personnel.
"There are mutual needs, and we are to come together to find ways to meet those needs," he said.
