Friday, January 25, 2013

With 58 programs so far, STEM is proving successful

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
This week, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction announced the schools that will receive STEM funding in 2013:
  • 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.
Learn more about Washington STEM here.

Read this story in Spanish here.

Apture