June 18, 2020
A Note From Spokane STEM: COVID-19
Our world, lives and jobs sure look different than we ever could have imagined. We at Spokane STEM hope the below tools, resources, grant/scholarship opportunities and good news brightens your day a bit. If you don't see something below that you are looking for, please let us know. We are in this together!

In addition, GSI/Spokane STEM is committed to gathering helpful information for you in one place. Click here if you would like to receive an e-newsletter three times a week with up-to-date information. You can also check out GSI's web page that is updated on a regular basis.

Thank you, and stay healthy.
Regional News
by Kathryn Garras
The Parkview Summer Enrichment Program, or “Summer Club,” is a robust summer program that will provide opportunities for kids ages 6-17 to access STEM and arts resources. Located in the Nevada Heights neighborhood, Northeast Youth and Family Services (NEYFS) partners with Parkview Early Learning Center to serve local families, many of which are children of color, representing a large portion of Spokane’s communities of color.

While it has been a long-term goal to provide this program, Parkview hopes to help mitigate the inevitable impact that COVID-19 will have in learning loss which disproportionately impacts kids from low-income households and kids of color. Summer learning loss is what causes students to come back to school in the fall with lower academic achievement levels than the end of the previous school year. While some parents may be able to offer a comprehensive academic schedule for their kids to prevent the “summer slide,” most families do not have the capacity due to work schedules, a lack of access to resources, among other reasons. The program serves children of a wide range of ages, needs and skills. It was designed through a racial equity approach, meeting kids where they are at and providing access to the resources each individual needs to reach his or her potential. 
Written by Ray Koelling
February to May is the traditional period for science fairs in the US. For the 2019-2020 school year, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered that timeline in historic ways. Throughout Spokane, Washington state and across the country, some fairs were held virtually while many more simply were canceled outright.

 The Eastern Washington Regional Science and Engineering Fair thought that very unfair for our students. Up to 230 projects, 300 students and their teachers were set to come to the EWRSEF on March 18. Yet we were determined not to simply throw in the towel and disappoint students.

 At that time, everyone was entering lock-down isolation and quarantine. A group of great judging volunteers used e-mail, Google chatrooms and Zoom to evaluate projects that were otherwise rendered moot to an in-person fair by looking at abstracts, protocols and pdfs. It was not what we wanted nor ideal for the students but was the best we could do.

Eastern Washington University’s Running Start students could get a little extra financial help thanks to a new grant from the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which supports increased student access to education. 

The  Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program enables Running Start (RS) students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRLP) to have all of their EWU course fees covered. This adds to the benefits already in place for these students: EWU tuition, up to 15 credits each quarter, textbook expenses and bus pass.
Hear about what it’s like to work for Washington’s top employers and industries: Imagine your future at leading organizations across Washington including Amazon, radio station KUOW, real estate technology firm Zillow, and many more.

Each session is available on YouTube for anytime access to learn about what it’s like to work in technology, auto repair, journalism, health care, and other exciting careers .
Going virtual in 2020! Fostering leadership, innovation,
and an entail spirit for students looking to be future business and community leaders. Summer leadership courses are being moved from a campus setting to an interactive online collaboration session. Sign up today!

WBW is also looking for professional advisors to mentor students. Are you a professional with a passion for leadership and helping young people succeed? Now you can make a difference for the next generation! Learn more here.
Student & Parent Resources
The Washington State Broadband Office estimates 300+ new drive-in WiFi hotspots are coming soon statewide, as part of an initiative to bring free public broadband internet access to all residents. Currently, 140 drive-in hotspots are operational (the map will be updated regularly), in addition to the existing 301 WA state library hotspots.
The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access makes new content available every week via its Learning Lab platform. Smithsonian Distance Learning's choice board this week features a variety of no tech, low tech, moderate and high tech educational options to fit every area of interest. A new choice board is posted here each week.

Brought to you by the educators at the Spokane County Water Resource Center, these newsletters are packed with easy DIY water science activities to do at home with your K-6 learners!

Presented by ASEE and its partners, eGFI is the best resource available for students and teachers to learn about engineering.

Learning in Places, a project with the goal of creating more culturally and community relevant, field-based learning opportunities for students, has been posting weekly Learning Engagements for K-3 students and their families. These materials were designed to support students and their families to engage in science that matters in the places they live. The materials facilitate families to ask and explore “should we” questions that engage the intersection of natural and social phenomena in our everyday lives. The project is a partnership of University of Washington, Northwestern University, Seattle Public Schools, and Tilth Alliance.
A fun and educational way to keep children occupied at home. The activities are meant to introduce children ages 2-10 to basic STEM concepts. Designed by local GeoEngineers!

Be a part of the world's largest live interactive classroom, with weekly challenges to engage students of all abilities, even those without computers.

KSPS is here for you with teacher-approved, standards-based activities for students preschool aged all the way through high school.
Seniors, it's not too late! Don't let coronavirus derail your plans. Apply now for college, job training, financial aid, and more.

Students can earn micro‑scholarships from colleges a wide range of colleges for their achievements as early as 9th grade.

SwiftStudent will help you write a financial aid appeal letter – for free. SwiftStudent offers students:
  • a way to start the appeal conversation with financial aid officers
  • clear information about financial aid requirements
  • customizable template letters to help you share your situation with your school

CoronavirusCollegePrep is an education resource built by students and for students. Included are college prep links, student blogs, and projects.

A free texting service designed to help Washington high school seniors navigate financial aid for college and career education. Students can access Otterbot via text message 24/7 by texting "Hi Otter" to 360-928-7281. Otter sends periodic messages with financial aid information, resources, and deadlines. Students can text Otter with questions about financial aid, college planning, and more.

Hands-on activities using common household items. Challenges include: design a mini catapult, paper airplane, and sorting machine.
Activities released weekly - each activity will include a feature of a women in tech who pioneered innovative technology.

Engaging activities, engineering challenges, virtual Starry Nights, and other STEM experiences to do at home with the whole family. 

Interactive, hands-on activities and videos - available in Spanish too!

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, many subscriptions and fees have been removed to increase access for tools, products, and applications.

Daily “done-for-you” schedules that cater to the whole child (physical, mental, emotional) and are easy to follow.

Kids need play to stay active and engaged with one another, and to support families and teachers.

Fun DIY and STEM-inspired projects to engage and excite the mind.

A national hub for free STEM learning resources including virtual museums, zoos, aquariums; podcasts; games; activities and MORE!
Teacher Resources & Grants
We Need Your Help! Have You Facilitated Events Or Opportunities That Have Taught Students About Careers?
As part of Spokane STEM's responsibility as NEWESD 101's Career Connect Washington Regional Network , data needs to be collected about experiences that introduce students to careers. This could be anything from career fairs, classroom speakers, career panels, worksite tours, job shadows, and more.

If you have helped create the experiences, or know someone who has, please complete this survey . Data helps us better tell the story about career connected learning happening in our region, to pair with what else is happening across the state. Thank you!

For easier sharing purposes, you may use this link: http://bit.ly/careerconnectspokane .
Stay In The Know
To receive our monthly newsletter, sign up here . To stay connected on social media, follow us on Twitter and Facebook . If you have any questions or feedback you would like to share with our team, please email us . We look forward to staying connected!
Upcoming Events
***Due to the recent escalation of COVID-19 in our community, most of these events are postponed or canceled. Please check on the host organization's web page to confirm***

SUBMIT your event!
View All Past Newsletters
Spokane STEM Network Founding Investors
Spokane STEM Network Sustaining Investor
About Spokane STEM
Spokane STEM is a collaborative effort of early learning, K-12, higher education, business and community organizations to further STEM learning and innovation throughout our region. The work of Spokane STEM is supported by Greater Spokane Inc., in partnership with the NorthEast Washington Education Service District 101.
801 W. Riverside, Suite 100
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509.624.1393