Did you know Washington ranks fourth in the
nation in technology-based corporations, but 46th in participation in science
and engineering graduate degree programs?
Rep. Tina
Orwall said that this disparity has to be fixed because those large
employers need high-skilled workers and, if our state can’t provide them, they
are bringing them from out of state. She stressed that these are Washington
companies so those good-paying jobs should go to Washington workers.
That's
why in 2010 she sponsored, and the Legislature unanimously
passed, House
Bill 2621 directing OSPI to designate
six "lighthouse" schools each year to promote and develop Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, including technical
assistance and advice for other elementary, middle and high schools that are
creating their own STEM environments.
In
the 22 months since the law went into effect, 24,000 students and 800 teachers
have participated in 58 STEM programs across Washington.
 |
| Rep. Tina Orwall |
- Delta High School (Kennewick)
- Bremerton High School (Bremerton)
- Stevens Elementary School (Aberdeen)
- West Valley Junior High School (West Valley Yakima)
- West Hills STEM Academy (Bremerton)
- WF West High School (Chehalis)
- San Juan School District
Read the OSPI press
release here.
