Akron

National Inventors Hall of Fame School . . . Center for STEM Learning

Akron – also known as the “Rubber Capital of the World” – has a strong history of innovation, ingenuity and invention. From its emergence as a small village along the “summit” of the Ohio and Erie Canal, to its transformation as a major city hosting B.F. Goodrich Company, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, ground-breaking manufacturing has shaped the region. Its impact is unmistakable, allowing Akron to claim the following firsts – just to name a few:

• Synthetic rubber automobile tire
• Breakfast cereal
• Long distance electric railway in the world
• US space suits.

This inventive thinking has prompted Akron Public Schools to form a strong partnership with the City of Akron, National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation, The University of Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber and Akron Tomorrow to develop a regional STEM school. The school will serve as a catalyst helping Akron achieve its vision as a “Center of Innovation and Creativity”.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame School ... Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning is designed to be a unique and comprehensive STEM middle school that promotes problem-based formal and informal learning.

School Snapshot

What is the vision of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School... Center for STEM Learning?
“To provide the highest quality education experiences for students that ensure creativity and inventive thinking through a focus on science, mathematics, engineering and technology.”

Who can attend the National Inventors Hall of Fame School... Center for STEM Learning?
Students in grades 5-8 from Akron Public Schools and from schools in the greater Akron region are eligible to attend.

What makes National Inventors Hall of Fame School... Center for STEM Learning different?
An entity of the Akron Public School system, the STEM middle school is scheduled to be housed within the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation and is designed to let students work collectively with inventors, STEM-related businesses and organizations, and with faculty and students from the University of Akron. The school will allow students to take intellectual risks and prepare them to become inventive, creative problem-solvers.

What are the school’s teaching and learning philosophies?
Scientific inquiry and technological design are the cornerstones of instruction for the school. The learning environments will focus on personalized learning and teamwork skills – incorporating engineering, personal finance, music, art, humanities and other content areas. Teachers will act as student mentors, working with small groups of students to set goals and identify rigorous coursework to meet those goals.

When does the recruitment start for both teachers and students?
Student applications will be available for submission by early December 2008 and will be due the last working day of December. Teacher recruitment will begin in the fall of 2008 and will be completed by January 2009.

When will the National Inventors Hall of Fame School open its doors?
Students in grade 5 and 6 will begin in fall 2009. Each year a grade will be added until fall 2011, when all grades 5-8 are a part of the school.