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STEM Students Design
Solutions to Opioid Abuse
Ohio is facing a major opioid overdose crisis. And as many Ohio
families fight opioid abuse, the impact cascades into the learning
environments in Ohio schools. Last fall, Superintendent of Public
Instruction Paolo DeMaria and the Ohio STEM Learning Network challenged
Ohio’s students to design solutions to help end the opioid crisis.
Throughout this school year, more than 1,200 students accepted the
challenge and developed hundreds of ideas to fight opioid abuse.
“This challenge was an opportunity for students to be creative and join
the conversation about one of the biggest problems facing our state —
opioid abuse,” said Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public
instruction. “Ohio’s young people never cease to amaze me with their
ability to take on tough challenges and develop impressive solutions. I
am inspired by the innovative ideas I have seen from our awesome
students for addressing the opioid crisis and their desire to create a
drug-free future for their fellow students and families.”
On May 18, Battelle hosted the Opioid Student Solutions Showcase, which
featured some of the best ideas developed by students. The following
schools shared their solutions:
Akron North High School
Bio-Med Science Academy
Dayton Regional STEM School
Metro Early College High School
Metro Institute of Technology
Reynoldsburg High School- eSTEM Academy
Reynoldsburg High School- (HS)2 Academy
Ridgeview STEM Jr. High
Student-created solutions included a programmable pill dispenser to
limit opioid doses, an app to alert friends and families of those
fighting abuse when certain areas are visited and a range of other
real-world solutions to this problem. One middle school team designed
an anti-drug use social media campaign and spent the semester
publishing these messages.
At the event, students heard a range of state leaders including
Secretary of State Jon Husted, Attorney General Mike DeWine, and State
Superintendent DeMaria.
“Whether it is confronting the opioid epidemic, driverless cars or
drone technology, strong skills in STEM are essential to prepare
students for the challenges of today and tomorrow,” Secretary Husted
said. “The Ohio STEM Learning Network is an invaluable opportunity for
STEM students to demonstrate what they have learned in the classroom,
an experience that will help them and Ohio win a brighter
future.”
“I applaud these students for their interest and willingness to take
the time to address the drug problem that is devastating our state,”
said Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Our state depends on
informed, dedicated citizens taking an active role in addressing this
crisis, and I’m grateful for these ideas to help those struggling with
substance abuse and addiction.”
The Ohio STEM Learning Network is a public-private partnership managed
by Battelle, which hosted the event. Battelle’s Senior Vice-President
of Education and Philanthropy Dr. Aimee Kennedy said: “Solving problems
is what we do here at Battelle and I am deeply proud to see that same
creativity and energy in the solutions students showed us today.”
The Ohio STEM Learning Network provided online supports for schools
participating in the challenge. STEM (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics) education provides rigorous academics in STEM subjects
and encourages inquiry-based learning and design thinking in all
subjects. The Ohio STEM Learning Network was created in 2008. Today,
more than 40 STEM schools and seven regional hubs make up the network.
Participation in the design challenge was open to schools within and
outside of the network. For schools outside of the network, it was an
opportunity for students to have a STEM learning experience.
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to
solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national
laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and
development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical
services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in
Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national
security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental
industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.
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