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 FBP 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.

Participating Schools

Western Elementary

Western Elementary third grade students pose with the mentors after an exciting kick-off to this year’s STEAM Ahead presentations.
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.
Eastern fourth graders pose with the mentors after a morning of hands-on science experiments and learning.

Jasper Elementary

Ahead co-coordinator Tim Poe talks with Jasper third graders about plans for a career.
Students watch closely as FBP mentor Mary Reiman explains an experiment about pressure.
Students use a virtual reality welder to learn how to weld.

Waverly Intermediate

FBP’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

FBP’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.
FBP’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.

Meet the Mentors

John Albright

OPERATIONS MANAGER, NUCLEAR OPERATIONS, FLUOR-BWXT

My presentation is on welding. We have a short video which shows different types of welding, SMAW, GMAW and TIG. These welds are made on plate and pipe that are on display that the students can look at and hold. I also have examples of weld bend test coupons that passed and one that failed. Finally, we have a virtual welder which allows the students to complete a simulated GMAW weld. This unit also grades them on their technique so they get to see which one can get the highest score if time allows more than one attempt.

Ellen Stone

SYSTEM ENGINEERING MANAGER, FLUOR-BWXT

Engineering has a world of opportunities with so many different fields within Engineering; however one thing that Engineers have in common is problem solving. This presentation goes through examples of problem solving at the PORTS Gaseous Diffusion Plant that is in D&D mode and also discusses various aspects of structural members. Next the students are given the opportunity to use their imagination to construct a masterpiece of their own.

Donnie Locke & Cindi Remy

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, FLUOR-BWXT

Communication is the key to every career. No matter your job, it is important to learn how to effectively communicate, including asking questions to get answers. During the Public Affairs section students read off a real teleprompter, learn how to put a story together through video and play reporter and ask their fellow students questions to enhance the story telling process.