Steubenville staff and students leave mark on future STEM building | News, Sports, Jobs

Part of the Future — Clockwise from left, instructors Jessica Chesson and Danny Filtz, and students Jenna Braley and Erin McCarthy were among hundreds of staff and students at Steubenville City Schools. Be part of her new STEM building under construction at Steubenville High School. Scheduled to open in spring 2024, the school will house nearly a dozen vocational and technical programs, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics. — Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — Hundreds of students and staff from Steubenville City Schools marked the district’s future STEM building on Monday. They signed their names on two 40-foot long steel beams using permanent ink his marker. Under construction next to Steubenville High School.

The Grae-Con Construction of Steubenville crew continues construction on the three-story, 28,000-square-foot building, which will house nearly a dozen career technical programs, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Funded with federal stimulus funds and a $100,000 donation from the Brooks Foundation, the $16 million project is expected to be completed in spring 2024.

High school principal Ted Gorman said the building is expected to house nearly a dozen career technology programs based on the district’s existing STEM programs, including elementary-level students at McKinley STEM Academy. said.

High school currently offers aerospace engineering and aviation, global logistics and supply chain management, health informatics, science and technology innovation, computer-aided drafting, multimedia and design, web design, marketing, information technology, transition to work, and exercise. It offers programs in science, teacher education, and collaborates with Eastern Gateway Community College, Phlebotomy and Pharmacy Technology.

Over the next year, we plan to add environmental sustainability, clean energy and power, integrated manufacturing technology, and biomedical education.

According to Gorman, the new building’s features include state-of-the-art facilities to help prepare students for their future careers, from a television studio with green screen projection equipment to a rooftop garden where they can engage in hydroponics and other agricultural research. facilities will be included.

He added that there are plans to add a greenhouse to the rear of the building and a skywalk connecting the STEM building to the high school.

According to Gorman, the plan calls for the corridor to extend to the third floor of the high school and extend into the area currently occupied by the multimedia room. This multimedia room he divided into two classrooms and replaced by a new multimedia room in the STEM building.

He said the skywalk would provide access between buildings while also addressing security and weather-related issues.

Gorman watched many students in grades kindergarten through 12 sign two beams with the help of students from their high school’s ambassador group.

“They were asked to sign their names and the year they graduated.” He noted that the following group of Wells Academy primary programs have signed on as members of the future 2034 class.

Jesse Clark, who teaches college-level courses in high school chemistry through Eastern Gateway Community College, was asked if he was excited about the completion of the STEM building.

“Oh my gosh, yes. It’s unbelievable that you can get this.” Clark added that her daughter, who is currently attending McKinley STEM Academy, will be among the many young people who will benefit from the facility.

High school senior Tiara Williams said she is interested in science, especially ecology, and hopes the STEM building will help her pursue a career in that field.

High school freshman Kane Kimble said of the new addition: “I think it’s cool. It will bring a lot of opportunities for people.”

The future of STEM building was also on the mind of Natalie Campana, an aviation instructor who has taught students at Steubenville High School interested in becoming pilots, engineers, and other careers in the aerospace industry.

About 100 students are currently enrolled in this course, which includes a school simulation and hands-on experience at Jefferson County Airpark.

“With the new building, we’re expanding what’s here.” Campana added: “The big thing is giving students the opportunity to explore different careers.”