Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem [Ohio]

Mahoning County, OH

Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem [Ohio] logo

About

The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem was established to foster innovative educational and workforce development opportunities tailored to the needs of students and the broader community. At the center of this initiative is the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center (CLWCC), which was launched in 2020 as a hub for lifelong learning, workforce training, and community engagement. Serving Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties in Northeast Ohio, this collaborative network connects local businesses, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to equip individuals with the skills needed for emerging careers. By leveraging partnerships and regional resources, the ecosystem enhances access to career pathways, ensuring students and residents alike benefit from dynamic learning experiences and workforce readiness initiatives.

Our Vision
Our vision is to create an inclusive, forward-thinking STEM ecosystem where education, workforce training, and industry collaboration converge to empower students and the broader community. The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem is more than a school system—it is a regional model for education and workforce integration, ensuring that students and residents not only dream of success but are equipped with the tools to achieve it.

Our Goals
Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem strives to ensure sustained growth, innovation, and impact by:

  1. Expanding STEM Career Pathways & Workforce Readiness
    Strengthen partnerships with local industries, higher education institutions, and workforce agencies to align curriculum with high-demand career fields. Increase access to certifications, apprenticeships, and early college credits to help students transition seamlessly into STEM careers.
  2. Fostering Equity & Inclusion in STEM Education
    Ensure that underrepresented populations (e.g., women, minorities, economically disadvantaged students) have equitable access to STEM resources and opportunities. Implement mentorship programs and scholarships to support diverse learners in STEM fields.
  3. Enhancing Hands-On, Project-Based Learning & Innovation
    Invest in state-of-the-art labs, robotics, AI, and emerging technologies to provide students with real-world STEM experiences. Expand interdisciplinary projects that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship.
  4. Strengthening Digital Literacy & Cybersecurity Awareness
    Integrate digital skills training, coding, and cybersecurity education across all grade levels to prepare students for a technology-driven workforce. Promote safe and ethical technology use through student and community training initiatives.
  5. Sustaining & Scaling STEM Education Through Funding & Community Engagement
    Secure additional grants and funding opportunities (e.g., ARC, NSF, private-sector partnerships) to expand STEM programming. Build community awareness and engagement through STEM outreach events, maker fairs, and industry showcases to reinforce STEM as a pillar of regional economic growth.

Key Programs

Community Served: Mahoning Valley, Mahoning County, Ohio

Learners Served: Elementary, Middle School, High School, Post-Secondary, Adult Learners

Types of Learner Programs: Curriculum, In-school programs, Afterschool programs, Summer school programs, Internships, Work-based learning programs, Career & Technical Education (CTE), Pre-College STEM programs, Stackable credentials, Technical training & certification, Workforce skills & development, Apprentice programs, Degree programs, Coaching and Mentoring Programs

Types of Educator Programs: Professional development, Training, Resources (equipment, kits, etc.), Curriculum support and resources

Future-Ready Workforce Development Initiatives
The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem is committed to preparing students for the evolving workforce by equipping them with future-ready skills through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and workforce-aligned education. As a regional hub for innovation, the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center (CLWCC) serves as the foundation for career exploration, skills training, and professional development, fostering strong connections between education and industry.

Our approach emphasizes early exposure to STEM careers, ensuring that students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, and technical skills essential for success. Through partnerships with Southwoods Health, Akron Children’s Hospital, Stark State College, and local industry leaders, students gain real-world experiences, including certifications, internships, and pre-apprenticeship programs that align with high-demand career pathways in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and engineering.

We integrate project-based learning, robotics, AI, and cybersecurity education to enhance student engagement and adaptability in an increasingly technology-driven world. Additionally, we prioritize equity and inclusion, ensuring that all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, have access to high-quality STEM education.

To sustain and scale workforce development efforts, we actively seek grant funding, such as support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and foster collaborations with employers and community stakeholders. By embedding career exploration, technical training, and industry certifications into the K-12 curriculum, the Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem ensures that students graduate prepared to enter the workforce or pursue further education, driving economic growth in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and beyond.

Partners

Early Childhood
Ohio Afterschool Network
ESC of Eastern Ohio

K-12 Education
Valley STEM
Mahoning County Career and Technical Center
ESC of Eastern Ohio

Higher Education:
Stark State College
Youngstown State University

Out-of-School Time (OST) & Informal STEM Providers
Ohio Afterschool network
OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Science Museum

Business & Industry
Southwoods Health
Akron Children’s Hospital
Sight For All United

Community Partners
Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley
MyPath
Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley
Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber

Government Agencies
Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board

Additional Info

Ohio Ecosystems

The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem is part of a larger network of STEM Ecosystems across Ohio. Collaborating STEM Ecosystems include: Appalachian STEM Collaborative; DO STEM; Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative (GCSC); Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem; Northeast Ohio STEM Learning Ecosystem; and STEM Works East Central Ohio.

Contact

Matt Bowen, Superintendent
Campbell City Schools
Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem
mbowen@campbell.k12.oh.us

Cheryl McArthur
Business Manager, Campbell City Schools 
cmcarthur@campbell.k12.oh.us