Science Education Council of Ohio recognizes local resident with prestigious award
On Monday, March 16th, during its 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO) presented retired Tipp City veterinarian, Dr. Martin E. English, with the annual SECO Friend Of Science Award. This award is given to a science educator or non-educator who has positively influenced science education in the State of Ohio and/or nation, through a specific project or sustained activities. This award recognizes activities that are more related to servicing the science education community as a whole, rather than specific teaching activities. Service to the science education community includes the effective creation of situations that promote active learning and encourage a love of science.
SECO officials announced that they were appreciative of what Dr. English has done through the Ohio Academy of Science to promote and support quality science education locally, regionally and state-wide!
Dr. English was a co-founder of the non-profit organization Upper Miami Valley STEM Education in 2014, which continues to administer four County Science Days and a Regional Science Day in the Upper Miami Valley. Pre-college student participation in the Science Day Program can benefit those students by increasing their interest and understanding of science through independent science and engineering research projects, which include the development of creative thinking, research, and writing skills, and career motivation toward the sciences. Dr. English has also served in various positions in the Ohio Academy of Science and is currently the President of that organization’s Board of Trustees.
In attendance for the award presentation were Dr. English’s wife, Jennifer, a retired veterinary technician; his son, Mackenzie English, a science teacher at Tippecanoe High School; daughter-in-law, Carlee Grimm, a nurse practitioner; and Angela McMurry, an educator and co-founder of Upper Miami Valley STEM Education.