The Fairborn Paper

Utilizing The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago as inspiration, Lydy’s students each created a place setting, with each setting celebrating the accomplishments of an individual from the local community who represents a particular marginalized group. While students may not agree with the beliefs, tactics or agendas of the person they studied, the project provides them with a sense of understanding and tolerance for the person’s experiences.

Lydy’s curriculum approaches United States history thematically and includes a large degree of collaboration with the Language Arts curriculum – this project also integrates with the Dayton Regional STEM School’s Fine Arts program. Throughout the project, Lydy incorporated PBS resources to help engage students in the content. “In this way,” Lydy says, “students hear from the people we are talking about, not hear about them, and that’s very powerful.”

Some of the Dayton area historic figures featured on student place settings were: Paul Laurence Dunbar (author); Dorothy Bacon (civil rights activist); Rebecca Pennell Dean (first woman professor in the United States); Billy Strayhorn (jazz musician); Tecumseh (Shawnee Indian leader); Ramon Gerardo Antonio Estevez (actor Martin Sheen); and Ming Tsai (chef/restaurateur).

Located in Beavercreek, the Dayton Regional STEM School is one of 10 public STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) schools being created across Ohio, offering students a relevant, real world educational experience which will prepare them for college and opportunities in the work world – in essence, a springboard for developing and maintaining the Dayton region’s talent base. The School opened in August 2009 with its first class of 9th grade students from across Clark, Greene and Montgomery counties. The Dayton Regional STEM School currently serves 8th, 9th and 10th grade students, with annual expansions planned through 2012, when it ultimately serves grades 6-12. Students, parents, educators and businesses may learn more about the Dayton Regional STEM School by visiting the School’s website at: www.daytonstemschool.org or by calling the School at (937) 431-1837. Information about STEM education throughout Ohio is available from the Ohio STEM Learning Network at its website: www.osln.org.