Educators, businesses and scientists collaborate for student success in science

A little-known nonprofit group has been quietly making a big difference in the educational lives of Northeast Ohio’s students and the workforce of the area’s business community for the last 27 years.

At its Spring meeting May 9 at the Holden Arboretum’s Lantern Court, Partners in Science Excellence recognized some of its outstanding partners with appreciation awards and talked about spreading the word about the work it’s been doing in classrooms, throughout the area’s business community and out in the world at large.

“We’d like to see more of the community become involved, not just teachers. We’d love to get input from the community as a whole,” said Cathy Platano, a science teacher at Willo Hill Christian School who also runs the S.T.E.M. after school Science Club there.

The group presented Platano with a Friends of Science Award for the strides she’s made in bringing science into the lives of her students and into the surrounding community.

Also recognized with a Friends of Science Group Award at the nonprofit’s spring meeting was the Avery Dennison Corporation, which has been a longtime partner of the Partners in Science Excellence.

“Much of our efforts are based on technology and working that technology into science learning in the hopes of preparing (young people) for jobs,” said Collin Moore, principal scientist: Global Innovation at Avery Dennison Label and Graphics Materials. “The economy is so small anymore. It’s so global and you’re competing with

people from around the world.”

Moore said a big part of what the group is trying to do is to make the science learning today’s students are doing meaningful to them and for it to have a lasting impression.

“If what you’re doing isn’t meaningful to you, it’s not meaningful, period,” he said.

In a recent missive about Partners in Science Excellence’s background, the organization confirms it’s sponsored over $235,000 worth of “classroom excitement” by distributing grants for inquiry-based science projects throughout Northeast Ohio schools.

It was formed in 1989 by local business representatives and members of the Tri-County Education Community, which incorporates Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, the group reports.

“Part of PSE’s mission is to unify the efforts of educators

“We’d like to see more of the community become involved, not just teachers. We’d love to get input from the community as a whole.” — Cathy Platano, Willo Hill Christian science teacher

and businesses to improve, expand and promote science education,” the statement reads. “Our primary program provides yearly grants to other sources of science education, such as the Mentor Marsh. In addition, PSE provides teacher in-service workshops that encourage the creative teaching of science.

Organizers at the May 9 meeting said that, in the past, area companies such as Lubrizol, East Ohio Gas and others have brought with them to the table not only monetary support, but also representatives who want to participate in educating young people.

The group’s mission hasn’t changed and it’s still working closely with numerous businesses and is always looking for more with which to partner, including the area’s municipal entities, public safety and health care concerns.

Partners in Science Excellence is a nonprofit group and receives support from the Lake Metroparks, Holden Arboretum, the Lakeland Foundation and its corporate sponsors.

For more information and to become involved, visit its website and fill out a contact-us form.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD From left, Willo Hill Christian School’s Cathy Platano and, from Avery Dennison, Kyle Rhodes, Collin Moore and Patti Hubbard pose with the awards bestowed upon them by Partners in Science Excellence during the nonprofit group’s spring meeting at the...