The Science Education Council of Ohio has recognized Lima Ridge Elementary Principal Kurt Scheiderer with its Administrator Award for Leadership in Science Education, honoring his commitment to building a strong culture of inquiry and hands-on learning for students.
Lima Ridge STEM teacher Chris Sommerkamp and district technology integration specialist Vicki Willet nominated Scheiderer, recognizing his leadership in launching and sustaining a thriving elementary STEM program.
“I was so honored to receive this recognition,” Scheiderer said. “I’m especially thankful to Chris and Vicki for nominating me and to SECO for the recognition. To me, this award reflects the collective effort of our students, teachers and community. It’s not my work alone.”
Now in his 29th year in education, Scheiderer played a pivotal role in launching Lima Ridge’s STEM program. With support from district leaders, including Superintendent Kevin Miller, Scheiderer observed successful programs, spoke with administrators and teachers and brought ideas back to Licking Heights to build a program tailored to Lima Ridge.
“We needed someone who could do more than teach a STEM class,” Scheiderer said. “We needed someone who could provide professional development and help integrate STEM thinking throughout the building.”
That person was Chris Sommerkamp, who now leads the STEM lab and manages a STEM materials library that teachers may access for hands-on lessons in their own classrooms. Rather than limiting STEM to a single class period, Scheiderer focused on building a culture where science, technology, engineering and math are woven throughout the school day.
“A strong science program doesn’t come from just one class,” he said. “It comes from a culture that values creativity and exploration. My role is to remove barriers for teachers, so they can do their best work.”
Under Scheiderer’s leadership, Lima Ridge expanded access to high-quality curriculum, increased hands-on materials and encouraged teachers to attend STEM professional development and share what they learned. The school also connects STEM to other subjects, including tying inquiry-based learning into the district’s English language arts curriculum.
Scheiderer believes STEM education is especially important at the elementary level because young students are naturally curious.
“Science gives them an outlet to explore, ask questions and learn through discovery,” he said. “They’re not just reading about something. They’re getting their hands dirty.”
He emphasized that STEM is about more than mastering standards. It is about building resilience, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“We focus on the process more than the product,” Scheiderer said. “Students learn that failure is part of learning and that there’s more than one way to solve a problem. When kids learn how to solve problems, they start to see themselves as scientists.”
Family engagement has been another key component of Lima Ridge’s STEM success. The school hosts an annual STEM night where families participate in the same kinds of hands-on activities students experience in class. These events help families better understand what their children are learning and encourage them to extend that learning at home through cooking, building, experimenting and creating.
The impact has been noticeable. STEM opportunities have energized teachers and helped engage students, including reluctant learners who thrive in inquiry-based environments. Scheiderer credits the collaborative spirit of the Lima Ridge staff as a driving force behind the program’s success.
“We have a team of teachers who support one another and are willing to learn from each other,” he said. “They observe what’s happening in other classrooms and apply those strategies to their own work.”
For Scheiderer, the award both celebrates progress and reinforces the importance of continuing the work.
“This recognition validates the priority we’ve placed on science instruction in this building,” he said. “It encourages me to keep advocating for it, not just here, but statewide.”
Information submitted by the Licking Heights Local School District.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Lima Ridge Elementary principal honored for STEM education leadership
Reporting by Special to Pataskala Standard, USA TODAY NETWORK / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
