Rosemary Callahan thought she knew her students’ career paths. Most of her environmental science students in Lebanon don’t plan on college. They’re hands-on learners looking for immediate opportunities after high school.
Then she attended the BioPathways Southwest Ohio workshop in October.
“I didn’t realize there were so many opportunities in biotechnology for students who don’t have a college degree,” Rosemary said. “Many of my students don’t thrive in the traditional classroom structure. So it was really eye-opening to learn about all the well-paying science-related jobs that are available right out of high school.”
That realization opens a whole new world for her students.
Danyell Terry teaches surgical technology and sterile processing in Cincinnati. She registered for the Southwest Ohio workshop on a whim after receiving an email: “I knew nothing about biopathology or pathology, but I decided to give it a try.”
During the clean room tour, Ms. Terry’s perspective changed. Watching professionals don PPE and maintain proper airflow, she immediately saw her own students’ lab work. “It reinforced how important those procedures are, not just in hospitals, but across biotechnology, engineering, and manufacturing.”
Her biggest takeaway: “This field is so much bigger than just surgical technology and sterile processing.”
That perspective transforms how teachers guide students toward careers. When Danyell learned about protein folding, she initially didn’t see the connection. Then it clicked: her surgical technology students learn about enzyme detergents that break down protein molecules. “When we built that protein molecule model, I thought, ‘Wow, my students will love this! This is something I can take back to my classroom!’”
For Liane Perkins, who teaches life science in Eaton, the Southwest Ohio workshop solved a different problem. After 20 years teaching in Washington State, she moved to Ohio and needed to rebuild every industry connection she’d relied on. “Back in Washington, I knew so many people in the food science and agriculture industries. Those relationships created amazing opportunities for my students. When I moved here, I didn’t know what industries or partnerships were relevant anymore.”
The workshop rebuilt those bridges. “It’s been fantastic to meet other life science teachers nearby and to make new professional relationships. Both as a teacher and as a mom, it’s so valuable to gain information I can bring back to my students and even my own son.”
Her 15-year-old wants a good-paying job without college debt. Now she knows where to guide him: “This program has opened doors for me to learn what industries have the most need, and how I can help him—and my students—navigate those options.”
Now, 30 Southeast Ohio teachers can experience the same breakthroughs on March 26, 2026 in Athens.
The one-day workshop at Ohio University’s Innovation Center includes hands-on protein synthesis and folding activities with models that teachers call “game-changing,” engineering design challenges that mirror actual industry work, a tour of a working life sciences facility where teachers see their lessons in action, a networking reception with professionals who hire Ohio graduates, and lab equipment with modular curriculum ready for immediate classroom use.
Rosemary is already using what she learned: “I’m excited to start incorporating pipetting activities with my students and to bring more of the engineering design process into the labs we already do.”
She’s also connecting industry partners with her school’s career coordinator. “Some of the companies need technicians, and we have students ready for placements in that field. Even if it doesn’t directly impact my class, it still benefits our students.”
Ohio’s life sciences industry employs 64,000 people across nearly 5,000 companies. Southeast Ohio includes pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, and medical device firms actively hiring.
As Liane put it: “Knowing that we have that backing means so much. It helps us bring new knowledge and resources to our students and opens doors for them that they might not even know exist.”
BioPathways Southeast Ohio
March 26, 2025 | 8am-6pm
Athens, Ohio University Innovation Center
Free for Ohio Biology, AP Biology, 8th grade science, and Biotech teachers. Breakfast, lunch, and 0.9 CEUs included. Limited to 30 participants.
Register Now – Spots Fill Quickly
Industry Partners: Connect With Future Talent
Do you hire—or plan to hire—life sciences talent in Southeast Ohio?
Join educators during lunch or the afternoon networking reception at BioPathways Southeast Ohio to share career opportunities at your workplace with teachers who have a direct line to your future employees. Reach out to Angie McMurry at amcmurry@ohiolifesciences.org to get involved!
