BMS Claims Governor's Award for 30th Consecutive Year

Make that 30. It’s been 30 consecutive years that Bellbrook Middle School has claimed the Governor's Thomas Edison Awards for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research.

The Ohio Academy of Science selected 77 Ohio schools and 1,249 teachers to receive for their accomplishments during the 2025-2026 school year. 

Teachers Alyson Geis, Ari Warner, Crystal Lohn, Debi Schweiterman, Janice Cook, Jennifer Julian, Karl Stanbery, Kayla Guess, Kyle Ferguson, Lauren Duhan, Lilah Kreitzer and Lynzee Allen were recognized with the award. 

BMS will receive a special Governor's Award certificate, and each teacher will receive a complimentary membership to The Ohio Academy of Science. 

The Office of Technology Investments, The Ohio Department of Development, funded the program. The criteria for the Thomas Edison Award for Excellence are: (1) Conduct a local science fair with 12 or more students and have two or more of these students participate in the Regional Science Day or have 6 or more students participate in the Regional Science Day when no local science fair has been conducted. (2) Students must participate in at least one more youth science opportunity beyond the classroom. 

First established in 1985, the Governor’s Thomas Edison Awards recognize Ohio schools and teachers who stimulate student research, technological design, and extend experiential opportunities beyond traditional classroom activities. 

“We are proud to honor these schools and teachers for preparing students for the future,” Academy Executive Director Michael E. Woytek said. “Science is a critical driver of economic growth – fostering innovation, creating new industries, and generating high-skilled jobs.”