 Project Lead The Way students at Mead High School.
(Photo by Doug Nadvornick, WSU Spokane)
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SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane schools and businesses are working together to steer students toward math- and science-related careers. In fact, there is so much going on that it can be hard to keep track of it all.
A new grant will help with that.
Washington STEM, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity, excellence and innovation in STEM education, is giving $220,000 to launch the Spokane STEM Network. The grant will help the group coordinate programs in Spokane County to revitalize science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in alignment with local economic development.
Washington STEM forecasts robust job growth in areas that require science and technology skills in Spokane County during the next several years. The test for local school districts and universities will be to provide enough qualified candidates to fill vacant jobs.
“Inspiring and preparing K-20 students to pursue challenging careers in the STEM fields is critical for our community,” said Washington State University Spokane Chancellor Brian Pitcher, who is on the Spokane STEM Network leadership team. “Our economy relies on citizen workers who learn, innovate, discover and create.
“Spokane as a community is ready to align its education, business and nonprofit assets, expanding regional capacity for local students to be competitive,” he said.
The Spokane STEM Network is one of three to launch this month with support from Washington STEM. The others are based in south central Washington and south King County.
“Too often we hang the banner of student success solely on our schools’ shoulders,” said Carolyn Landel, chief program officer at Washington STEM. “These STEM network investments will rally entire communities around a common vision for student success aligned with local economic opportunities.”
Two examples of Spokane programs already under way or ready to go
Mead School District is building its Riverpoint Academy in the Innovate Washington building on the WSU Riverpoint Campus. The program is preparing to open in fall 2012. The school takes a problem-solving approach to help qualified high school students build their academic and leadership skills, especially in science and technology.
“The students are thinking about their next steps, whether they are going directly into the workforce or on to college,” said Lisa Shaffer, a member of the academy’s advisory board. She’s also a mother with three children in the Mead School District and chief scientific officer for molecular diagnostics for PerkinElmer’s Signature Genomic Laboratories.
“It is our job as business owners, educators and parents to prepare our students the best that we can,” she said. “STEM education will give them the background that they need even if they do not choose a STEM career path.”
One STEM program already under way is taught in 14 Spokane area high schools. Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit, provides curricula in biomedicine and engineering, though nearly all of the Spokane schools have adopted only the biomedical track for now. WSU Spokane trains the high school teachers.
Among the participants is Rogers High School. It partnered with Jubilant HollisterStier, which made a gift to WSU Spokane so Rogers could outfit a laboratory with scientific equipment.
“Science, technology, engineering and math education and initiatives drive required skill sets for many Jubilant HollisterStier positions,” said company CEO Marcelo Morales. “Having access to local candidates with these skills is critical to our long-term success.
“Jubilant HollisterStier is fortunate to be able to partner with STEM-based education initiatives, give back to our community and, subsequently, benefit our organization with the expectation of hiring future skilled employees from our own back yard,” he said.