Novemeber 10, 2025

Pickerington, OH — Pickerington Local Schools’ Harmon and Diley Middle Schools have each been awarded a $5,000 Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) Classroom Grant, funded by Battelle, to enhance hands-on STEM learning opportunities for students.

They are among 165 public schools across 68 Ohio counties recognized with this competitive award, which supports innovative, student-driven STEM projects in classrooms statewide.

“Receiving the $5,000 OSLN STEM Grant is an incredible opportunity for our students and the Hero News Network,” said Assistant Principal Carlita Bell. “This support empowers our learners to explore their creativity, build STEM skills, and share their voices through storytelling and technology. It’s more than a grant—it’s an investment in our students’ future.”

At Harmon Middle School, students will expand their STEM learning through the Harmon News Network, a program where students collaboratively produce digital video and audio news content. While creating stories, they learn media production, editing, special effects, and sound design—skills that build creativity, communication, and technical proficiency through real-world digital storytelling. This is the second year Harmon has received the OSLN grant for student STEM projects.

At Diley Middle School, the grant will fund the Engineering Our Future: Hands-On STEM with LEGO® Science project. The initiative will integrate LEGO® Education Science kits into fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms to promote hands-on, problem-based learning that builds STEM and design-thinking skills. 

“The science department here at Diley is thrilled to receive this grant to purchase LEGO® Education kits for our classrooms,” said Science and Social Studies Teacher Megan Massingill. “These hands-on resources will boost student engagement, strengthen STEM skills like coding and engineering, and support project-based learning that encourages collaboration and creativity.”

This year, the Ohio STEM Learning Network awarded 194 grants across the state to advance long-term, STEM-based education projects.

“These grants empower Ohio educators to create dynamic learning environments where students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for tomorrow’s challenges,” said Wes Hall, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy & Education at Battelle. “Supporting STEM education remains central to Battelle’s mission of advancing scientific innovation and strengthening communities.”

The Ohio STEM Learning Network operates as a public-private partnership between Battelle and the State of Ohio, working to ensure that all students develop the skills needed to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

“When students engage with quality STEM education, they gain access to pathways that transform families and energize local economies,” added Sandra Wilder, Director of the Ohio STEM Learning Network. “This program connects classroom innovators to a statewide network of schools, professional resources, and collaborative educators.”

Educators interested in future grants or additional STEM resources can sign up here. A complete list of awarded schools is available at this link. Learn more at osln.org.