2024: Battelle Spearheads Initiatives to Boost Attendance and Enhance STEM Education

It was quite a year for Battelle’s philanthropic and STEM education efforts. It included several impactful initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes and fostering critical thinking skills among youth.

"Our ability to make a positive impact on students is a direct reflection of the success of Battelle,” said Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Education at Battelle. “Every day, our team seeks to carry the mission of Battelle into our philanthropic and community efforts to make a real difference in society.”

To combat chronic absenteeism across Ohio, where students miss more than 18 days in one school year, Battelle joined forces with the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. Announced on May 1, 2024, this collaboration was founded by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, and Harvard’s Proving Ground, with additional support from the Columbus Crew, Cleveland Browns, and FC Cincinnati.

Battelle serves as the 'network backbone,' coordinating operations to ensure that more than 300,000 students attend school regularly. This initiative is crucial as Ohio tackles a chronic absenteeism crisis, with recent data showing that districts within the Stay in the Game! network have reduced absenteeism at twice the state's average rate.

Furthering its commitment to education, Battelle funded a diverse new portfolio of 16 out-of-classroom education programs emphasizing STEM. These programs spark curiosity and inspire innovation among students, integrating fields as varied as music, agriculture, and environmental science. The 2024 funding amount of nearly $1 million brings Battelle’s total support for STEM education in Central Ohio through the program to more than $6.5 million. 

The Ohio STEM Learning Network, managed by Battelle, continues to be a beacon for STEM education in the state. The 2024 Ohio STEM Innovation Summit, held on June 19, was a resounding success, selling out for the second consecutive year. The summit featured learning sessions, a keynote speech, and the presentation of the “STEM Excellence Awards,” along with the designation of two new STEM/STEAM schools.

Battelle continues elevate its national profile through the STEMx network and advance STEM education in states through the Ohio STEM Learning Network and Tennessee STEM Innovation. These state networks, managed in partnership with local state departments of education, each reached more than 450,000 students over the last year. On October 15, 2024, Battelle further demonstrated its dedication to STEM education by announcing the funding of 248 grants totaling $1,160,000.

These grants, distributed across 197 public schools and 144 school districts in 67 counties, support sustainable, STEM-based educational projects. "These grants are crucial in empowering educators throughout Ohio to inspire and prepare the problem-solvers of tomorrow," said Hall.

Through these initiatives, Battelle not only reaffirms its role as a pivotal player in education and its enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.