S.T.E.A.M. Ahead

STEAM Ahead is a hands-on science experience introducing new opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to students in Waverly, Piketon, Eastern, Western and Lucasville Valley school districts.

The mentors share their knowledge through interactive experiments from problem solving to chemical reactions, video editing, physics, water quality, welding, environmental studies, and more in easy to follow 15-minute lessons.

In its fifth year, the program has added a new school each year, and in 2025 expanded to Scioto County.

The program would not be possible without the engagement of our SOCCo volunteers and others from Ohio University, Pike and Scioto County Extension Offices, Shawnee State University, North Wind Dynamics , ETAS, and Pike County Solid Waste, Recycling and Development.

Anyone interested in more information about STEAM Ahead can email Cindi Remy, senior communications specialist at SOCCo at cindi.remy@ports.pppo.gov or call 740.897.3150.

Participating Schools

Western Elementary

Western students work on their problem solving skills with 3D puzzles.

Students get a chance to create a video about STEAM Ahead day while reading the script off of the teleprompter.

Eastern Elementary

Eastern fourth graders put their problem solving skills to the test with Legos.

Students enjoy learning about water quality and participating in a hands-on experiment where they use various items to try and make muddy water clean.

Jasper Elementary

Students watch closely as SOCCo mentor Mary Reiman explains an experiment about pressure.

Students use a virtual reality welder to learn how to weld.

Waverly Intermediate

SOCCo’s Lauren Snodgrass helps students learn how electricity work with an interactive circuit board.

Students start with muddy water, and then through trial-and-error use things like cotton balls, sand, rocks and clay to see who can strain their water to get it the clearest.

Students start with paper, tape and straws to build structures using engineering principles.

Valley Primary

SOCCo’s Jessica Waddell has students start with a bird’s eye view of a location and then use context clues as they get closer to try and figure out the mystery.

SOCCo’s Patrick Bias uses hot and cold water and empty cans to teach students the about how pressure works.

The science of painting, students use paint and a salad spinner to learn about the concepts behind centrifuge technology.