Press Release

January 22, 2025 | By Cole Hatcher

The Ohio Wesleyan Learning (OWL) program will use a new Delaware County Foundation grant to enhance STEM offerings to its summer campers. Here, 2024 campers seek to use science to solve a 'Murder in the Chem Lab.' (Photo courtesy of OWL)

STEM Support

Ohio Wesleyan's OWL Program Earns $20,000 Delaware County Foundation Grant

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University's OWL program has earned a $20,000 Community Grant from the Delaware County Foundation to help more youths access science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes.

"We're so honored and excited to receive this grant," said Josie Bair, executive director of the Ohio Wesleyan Learning (OWL) program. "Our program directly aligns with the Delaware Community Foundation's funding priorities by focusing on building opportunity and advancing equity. Our strategies include providing immersive, hands-on STEM experiences that spark curiosity and foster skills development. Through experienced educators in residential and day camp formats, we offer immersive classes, mentoring, and project-based learning."

OWL will use the grant to support hands-on STEM classes such as growing microbial art, exploring fungal networks, and creating polymers. Students will dive into food science through baking, molecular experiments, and engineering challenges, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

"Our campers will engage with real-world topics, from disease prevention to environmental sustainability while connecting science to everyday life," Bair said. "This immersive program inspires curiosity and equips students with knowledge for future academic and career success."

The campers are taught by Ohio Wesleyan faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as national board-certified secondary school teachers, teachers of gifted and talented students, and other experts in their fields. The pupils also are mentored by camp counselors including students from Ohio Wesleyan and other colleges and universities.

The 2025 OWL schedule includes three residential (overnight) camp sessions for talented and gifted pupils in grades six, seven, and eight that run from June 8-12, June 15-19, and June 22-26, and two nonresidential day camp sessions for talented and gifted fifth- and sixth-graders that run from June 30-July 3 and July 7-10.

Applications are open now for students throughout Ohio. To apply, pupils either must score in the 95th percentile on one area of an ability/achievement test or have above-average proficiency test scores. They also must use the online form at owu.edu/OWL to submit an essay and provide contact information to enable OWL staff to obtain their academic records and two teacher recommendations.

The Ohio Wesleyan Learning (OWL) program was launched in 1982 with support from the Junior League of Columbus. It has a mission of "nurturing the development of exceptional abilities of gifted students through opportunities to expand their minds, create a lifelong passion for learning, and develop meaningful friendships." Learn more at owu.edu/OWL.


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.