Beaumont School, a Catholic school for girls in Cleveland Heights, unveiled its new STEM addition with a ribbon cutting on Monday, January 5th, re-emphasizing its commitment to science, technology, engineering and math and education with the $9.5 million building. “Our science facilities were over 50 years old,” says Beaumont president Sister Gretchen Rodenfels. “I graduated in 1965 and we were using the same science equipment today.”

The movement to improve STEM education for girls has been growing, and Rodenfels says Beaumont has proven in recent years that girls do excel in science and math. “Really, in the United States, students are not as prepared in science, technology, engineering and math as other developed countries,” says Rodenfels. "Now we have eight science rooms, four prep rooms and all new equipment. Each room is dedicated to a different area of the curriculum.”
 
In fact, Rodenfels says a STEM education provides well-rounded preparation for any field the students choose. “If you are strong in STEM skills, that can be transferred to any career – deductive reasoning, collaboration, problem solving.”
 
For the past two years, Beaumont students have participated in the Alliance for Working Together's (AWT) annual RoboBot Competition. “The first year we had the only all-girls team and the guys were making wisecracks,” says Rodenfels. “The following year we came in third at nationals.”

Additionally, the new wing has administration and guidance offices, a clinic, a two-story student common area with outdoor patio and a new front entrance. Construction began on the 25,000 square-foot building in September 2013.

Cleveland's entrepreneurial scene is increasingly vibrant, with new small businesses and technology startups being launched at a fast clip. Here are six companies started in the last year that are poised for rapid growth.

The Cleveland Leadership Center, along with Bernie Moreno’s Collection Auto Group, are asking individuals to pitch their best ideas for civic improvement – no matter how wild an idea.

The civic pitch completion, Accelerate 2015: A New Model for Change is designed to solicit ideas that can be one-and-done projects or sustainable, ongoing efforts that make Northeast Ohio a better place.
 
“We came up with the idea 18 months ago, thinking about the opportunities in Cleveland for the business sector and entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas,” recalls Marianne Crosley, president and CEO of the CLC. “But there really isn’t a way for people with civic visions to pitch. What better way to impact and transform Cleveland than to open things up to the public to pitch their ideas and make a difference in the community?”
 
Pitches will be accepted in five categories: quality of life; economic development; educating for tomorrow; community change; and transformative arts and culture. “We’re open to anything, from how do you transform a street corner or empty lot to how do you impact youth,” says Crosley. "There’s nothing traditional about this event.”
 
The only parameters are the presenters must be individuals and the pitches must be civic-minded. No organized groups or businesses will be heard.
 
Panels of judges will select a winning pitch in each category, and those category winners will pitch to a larger audience. The audience will then vote on an overall winner. The the four finalists each receive $1,500 and the winning pitch receives $3,000.  All winners will receive mentorship and an opportunity for community support.
 
ThomaMoreno is co-chairing the event along with Thomas E. Hopkins, CLC board chair and senior vice president of Sherwin-Williams, to celebrate Collection Auto Group’s 10^th anniversary and as a way of saying thanks for their success and growth in Cleveland.
 
The deadline to apply is Monday, January 12. The competition will be held on Wednesday, February 25. Pitches begin at 4:30pm, followed by the audience judging and reception at 6pm at the Global Center for Health Innovation. Tickets are $35 for the general public, $25 for CLC Partners, and $20 for students. 
 

New research suggests that innovation districts, whose growth is fueled by anchor institutions, companies and startups working in close proximity to one another, may be growing faster than traditional downtowns.

Downtown's residential population has doubled over the last 15 years. Now a new report is serving as a guide for Cleveland's growth, with an emphasis on investments -- from mini-parks to signage to massive mixed-use developments -- aiming to better connect residents with downtown.

Downtown is booming with new development, but getting around can sometimes be a challenge. Now key investments are in the works that will make it a much more livable, inviting place.

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Check out a local holiday market, let Lolly the Trolley be your designated driver or join a book binding workshop. Your weekend, planned.

Northeast Ohio has emerged from the recession with a much stronger economy, yet we must accelerate the pace of job creation. Here are five Cleveland companies leading the charge.

Our city seems to be constantly in the spotlight these days, for our innovations as well as our challenges. Meet a group of leaders who are redefining the narrative of our city and pushing us to collectively move forward.

Twelve makers share something they’re excited to bring to The Flea this weekend.

Rocked by a pair of senseless tragedies, Cedar Lee merchants say they can't remember a sadder year. Yet they say their community has been painted in an unfair light. Crime is down overall, many merchants are thriving and street improvements are in the works.

The Browns have one of the largest fan bases in the NFL, with Backers groups spread across the globe. It's a vast pigskin-loving Cleveland diaspora out there, one that's found something to cheer about this season.