In a significant development for STEM education, Miami University has been awarded $999,999.98 by the State of Ohio in the FY24 Choose Ohio First (COF) funding round. Principal Investigator Jessica Sparks, associate dean and professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering, led the grant proposal aiming to bolster scholarship opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field.

The collaborative effort involved faculty members from various disciplines, including the College of Engineering and Computing, College of Arts and Science, and the College of Education, Health, and Society.

Jeffrey Wanko, professor of math education in the College of Education, Health, and Society, was a co-PI for the grant. Some of the funds will go directly to scholarships for Integrated Math education students.

The Choose Ohio First program stands as a cornerstone in Ohio's strategy to cultivate STEM talent within the state. Chancellor Randy Gardner emphasized the vital role of institutions like Miami University in shaping a skilled workforce for Ohio's economy, stating, "Miami University has done a great job of preparing its STEM scholars, and I am pleased to have Miami University among the latest Choose Ohio First awardees."

This substantial award underscores the university's commitment to collaboration across units and disciplines, showcasing the strength that arises when faculty members pool their expertise. The scholarships funded by the COF grant will open diverse pathways for students to pursue careers in STEM, emphasizing the importance of digital and quantitative skills in shaping the future workforce.

(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT 3.5, a language model developed by OpenAI, assisted in writing this news story.)