Franklin Elementary earns renewed STEM designation in Wadsworth schools

WADSWORTH — The Wadsworth Schools Board of Education has approved Franklin Elementary School for another five years as a STEM school by the Ohio STEM Committee, which is part of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The school's designation will continue through February 2031, according to a letter sent to Franklin Elementary School Principal Sunaina Kelly from Ohio STEM Committee chair Dr. Tom Schwieterman. "The Department is pleased to inform you that the Ohio STEM Committee has approved Franklin Elementary School for five additional years of STEM school designation starting in February 2026," Schwieterman said. According to the letter, STEM schools, which focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, provide students with challenging curricula and inquiry-based learning experiences, which are designed to prepare them for careers in the 21st-century workforce. The designation reflects continued work by teachers and students to maintain high standards in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Wadsworth Schools' administrators said. Schools must show that STEM learning is ingrained in classroom lessons, projects, and problem-solving activities that encourage student collaboration and critical thinking skills. The Wadsworth Board of Education members congratulated Kelly and the school's staff for their efforts in maintaining the STEM designation. The process involves applying for redesignation and continuing to build STEM-focused instruction throughout the school year. Franklin Elementary will continue to work with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio STEM Learning Network, which provides guidance when the next redesignation cycle approaches, Schwieterman said. Franklin Elementary's redesignation allows the school to continue operating as an officially recognized STEM school within Ohio's statewide network. The school remains focused on innovative teaching and preparing students for future careers in science and technology fields, according to the letter. Contact reporter Sam Russ at (330) 491-6962 or sruss@medina-gazette.com.