STEM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Ohio University hosted a free 4-day Virtual STEM Summer Camp in August 2020 for students entering 6th–10th grades (ages 11–16) in Southern Ohio who were interested in learning about topics such as computer programming, energy, water quality, and smart electronics. Priority registration was given to participants from Jackson, Pike, Ross, and Scioto Counties. The camp engaged participants in live virtual presentations and discussions with University instructors. To recreate the activity component of an in-person camp in an online setting, registered campers were mailed boxes of materials to enable hands-on-learning. On the final day of the program, participants were given the opportunity to share their own STEM-related activities and ideas on STEM careers of interest.

The Voinovich School is utilizing funding from the AEP Foundation and from the US DOE PORTSfuture grant to launch an Internet of Things (IoT) STEM education pilot project in southern Ohio. This project will better prepare high school students and educators for this emerging field, will leverage the unique opportunities available in Appalachian counties, and ignite a new generation of social innovators.

This rapid integration of the physical and digital world is fundamentally changing our lives and businesses, from people to devices, to data and processes and will create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and job seekers. The THINGS around us (e.g., renewable energy sources, home appliances, industrial equipment, smart energy monitoring devices, medical devices, and entertainment devices) are becoming interconnected, enabling them to exchange information and allowing us to monitor and control them remotely. The major objectives for the IoT are the creation of “smart” environments/spaces and self-aware things for climate, food, energy, house, mobility, digital society and health applications. In fact, this year alone there will be nearly 5 billion connected things, according to Gartner, with the number expected to increase to 25 billion things by the end of this decade.

i.Internet of Things Primer for 2016. Gartner, Inc.