Nearly 50 Ohio Educators Attend 2024 Geology and STEM Teacher Workshops
Teachers are provided with lessons and materials on the natural gas and oil industry to take back to their classrooms
Pataskala, OH- This summer, nearly 50 Ohio teachers attended the 2024 Ohio Natural Energy Institute Geology and STEM teacher workshops and field trips. These professional development programs teach educators about the natural gas and oil industry along with the history, science, geology, and careers behind it. These lessons and field trips are designed to bring science alive and can be taken back to classrooms and shared with students across the state. Teachers also earn credits toward their state-required continuing education requirements.
“Ohio’s next generation will play a critical role in the natural gas and oil industry, that’s why it’s paramount that the future of Ohio is educated on these critical, affordable and reliable resources,” said Bruce Tague, Executive Director of Ohio Natural Energy Institute.
This year’s STEM workshop was held at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum with a field trip to an Encino Energy production pad and a Williams gas plant. Teachers attending the Geology workshop visited H.R. Collins Laboratory and Core Repository and heard from ODNR geologists and seismologists. A field trip then took educators through OSU’s Orton Geological Museum and a fossil tour at the Ohio Statehouse.
“The ONEi geology workshop was superb! If you are looking for professional development that is timely and relevant to engage your students and staff about geology, Ohio history, Ohio energy and career education this workshop is for you!” said Regina Sackman, Fredericktown Elementary School Principal.
Ohio’s natural gas and oil producers are key sponsors to these workshops, field trips and boxes full of classroom materials that are provided free of charge. Meal sponsors from this year include: American Petroleum Institute, Encino Energy, WEN Ohio, and Williams. Teachers left the events with $50.00 “Fueling Your Future” gift cards courtesy of Southwestern Energy. The Ohio Natural Energy Institute not only provides teacher workshops but also visits classrooms across the state providing in person presentations and awards scholarships and science fair awards annually
About The Ohio Natural Energy Institute: The Ohio Natural Energy Institute is an organization of professionals who educate people about the essential energy that makes life better, specifically focusing on natural gas and oil production. In the community and in classrooms, they provide trusted, factual information through teacher workshops, first responder training, guest speaker programs, and more. Engage with us via Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.