American Oil and Gas Reporter - February 2015 - 135

ConventionSection: Ohio Oil & Gas Association
88 counties through teacher workshops,
which provide educators with the resources
and curricula to incorporate aspects of
oil and gas into classroom projects. Reda
confirms the intent is to encourage science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education.
"Almost all the jobs in the oil and gas
industry incorporate some form of STEM,"
she affirms. "The United States is behind
many other developed countries in science
and math education, and we want to do
everything we can to provide teachers
and students with the necessary tools to
teach and learn effectively."
The curricula, developed by STEM
teachers for use by all educators, meet
common core teaching standards, Reda
assures. OOGEEP hosts and organizes
the free teacher workshops and provides
related classroom materials. The teacher
workshops also include an online component that is available to any educator
or student. Moreover, OOGEEP is increasing the number of workshops it
offers to trim the waiting list of teachers
who want to participate, Reda announces.
The program had a record number of
scholarship applications in 2014, she
adds, and the OOGEEP Scholarship Foundation awarded a record 46 scholarships
to students pursuing industry-related fields
of study.
OOGEEP hopes to relaunch its "Rocking In Ohio" educational program this
summer, Reda continues. OOGEEP initiated the traveling stage show during summer 2013 to energize and promote STEM
learning among elementary and middle
school students. The events were modeled
after curricula developed by Ohio teachers,
and included entertainment, games, and
prizes (AOGR, Feb. 2014, pg. 158).
"The Rocking in Ohio program was
very well-received by audiences of all
ages," Reda states. "It's an engaging, interactive way for the students to have
hands-on STEM learning through games
and activities. And even though we primarily want to engage students, many
parents, grandparents and educators told
us it was enjoyable and educational for
them, too."
In Demand
OOGEEP's other priorities include a
plan to expand its firefighter training program, the demand for which Reda says
has been reflected by the fact that
OOGEEP has had to put on special sessions for a number of emergency response

OOGEEP coordinators lead Ohio teachers on a well site visit during a teacher workshop.
The program has increased the number of workshops it offers, and has added online
content for out-of-state educators.

groups. OOGEEP has trained more than
1,100 Ohio firefighters and firefighters
from seven other states. The program has
added a special chemical disclosure exercise, and OOGEEP has been certified
to provide RigPass/Safeland safety training. This training, in addition to
OOGEEP's other safety training programs,
has helped more than 2,600 Ohio oil
field workers.
During 2013 and 2014, Reda says,
OOGEEP staff and industry volunteers
made more than 300 public presentations
and distributed more than 1 million fact
sheets on various industry topics, such
as hydraulic fracturing and workforce
development. OOGEEP has a staff of
five and has expanded a number of its
committees. She says the organization
also has formed a special Shale Advisory
Board Committee to allow for additional
input into the expansion of many programs
and projects.
Last November, OOGEEP was presented the 2014 Interstate Oil & Gas
Compact Commission's Chairman Stewardship Education Award. Reda remarks
that support from the OOGEEP Board
and volunteers, and the tremendous support
from the industry have made the program's
achievements possible, but they are not
alone in their efforts.
"Many other oil- and gas-producing
states have or are in the process of creating
similar education and outreach programs,
and we will continue to collaborate, com-

municate, and share resources with one
another to achieve this common goal of
educating the public on the benefits of
oil and gas production," she says. "Everyone has to work together in order for all
these programs to be successful."
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TIPRO. . . . . . . . . . . . .
FROM PAGE 123
has worked on similar issues in Colorado,
Longanecker details. "It has led the effort
in Colorado and has enjoyed a significant
amount of success, so we are looking forward to that discussion," he says.
After a break, TIPRO's schedule calls
for staff to provide members information
about the Capitol Call-Up. At 11:45 a.m.,
the bus will depart for Saengerrunde Hall,
where a noon legislative luncheon will
be held, followed by call-up meetings at
the Capitol, starting at 2 p.m.
"We will take a group of folks to the
capital for our Texas Capitol Call-Up so
our legislators can hear from small-tomidsize independents as well as large
operators," Longanecker explains. "A lot
of these people are their companies'
CEOs, owners and founders. Hearing the
impact these issues have directly on these
individuals and their companies is very
important."
The bus departs the Capitol for the
hotel at 4 p.m. The chairman's reception
is set for 6 p.m., followed by the chairman's dinner at 7 p.m.
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FEBRUARY 2015 135

American Oil and Gas Reporter - February 2015

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