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OHIO NEWS
Workshop applies hands-on approach to teaching science
Area teachers race push'n go toy vehicles while learning about energy during a program called Teaching Our Youth Science on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Marathon's Catlettsburg Refinery England Hill Training Center. Instructors from Miami University of Ohio, where the program was developed, lead the sessions that was sponsored by Marathon.
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CATLETTSBURG, Ky. -- Twenty-seven teachers from Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky got a chance to play with toys for a week as part of a program called Teaching Our Youth Science.
The weeklong science and physics instruction is sponsored by Marathon Petroleum Co. at its England Hill Training Center south of Catlettsburg. The teachers get two hours of college credit from Miami University and will take what they learned back to Tri-State schools to give students hands-on learning using toys and other objects.
"This is a win-win situation for students, teachers and local employers," said Dianne Clement, senior community relations representative for Marathon. "The idea is to get more kids interested in science. These teachers are using everyday items and toys to teach basic science. Being in the refining industry, science is very important to us."
"Students can learn that science can be fun," Clement said.
Jacki Hutchison, a Chesapeake Elementary teacher, said the weeklong session has provided her with a number of things she can take back to her students.
"When we do things hands on, students retain it better," she said Friday. "We've all found something we can use. It's a wonderful program. We hope we can come back next year. This workshop also was perfect for our state (proficiency) tests."
Marathon has sponsored a similar program for teachers for at least five years now. In previous years, the training was held in the summer. The company put up $20,000 for this year's program for elementary and middle school teachers from Ashland, Greenup County, Raceland-Worthington, Chesapeake and Wayne County.
Ashland Superintendent Steve Gilmore sent seven teachers to the training session. It was the first time teachers from the Ashland district have participated.
"They're newly appointed academic coaches," Gilmore said. "They can spread this throughout the district. One of our goals is to use this not only in science classes, but for English, math and reading classes."
"I think it's a great program," he said. "The kids can benefit from this."
