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The Buzzworthy Happenings:
STEM Updates and Recap of Winter and Spring Activities
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Washington STEM Announces New CEO
Washington STEM is pleased to announce that after a thoughtful and robust search, education leader and award-winning veteran journalist Lynne K. Varner has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer. Welcome, Lynne! Read more in the press release: https://bit.ly/3OSpq2L
Helpful Information:
Washington STEM creates and fosters a network of STEM partners that harness and employ STEM education best practices within their communities. Each Network represents a unique region of Washington, however, all Networks strive to provide access to the best STEM education possible.
The Snohomish STEM Network is one of 11 STEM Networks working collectively with Washington STEM to create solutions and partnerships that bring STEM education to Washington students, especially those historically underrepresented in STEM fields like students of color, girls and young women, students living in poverty, and students living in rural areas.
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Family-Friendly Workplaces: Strategies for employer-supported childcare
Join us as we welcome Family-Friendly Workplaces, the Employer-Supported Child Care Technical Assistance Program from Washington State Department of Commerce, for a discussion to increase the awareness, consideration, and implementation of family-friendly policies and practices.
During this engaging session, we will cover strategies and ROI tools to help employers consider and assess how to better support working parents and their communities. We will share the business case for employer-supported child care and the broad range of strategies they may consider. Plus, attendees will have a chance to ask questions!
Coffee Chats are virtual and free to attend. RSVP to receive a link to join the interactive Zoom.
Please RSVP to receive the ZOOM link – registered attendees will receive the link at registration and via email.
Tuesday, August 8, 8:30am - 9:30am:
RSVP here
To view the Family-Friendly Workplace Snohomish Regional Report, see section at the bottom titled, "Reports, Resources, and Tools".
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CAREER CONNECTED LEARNING | | |
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Girls Explore STEM Event at WSU Everett
WSU Everett and Snohomish STEM partnered for the second annual Girls Explore STEM for a Saturday filled with career connected learning activities!
Middle school and high school students came from across Snohomish County and beyond to engage with real-world challenges and hands-on activities in engineering, organic agriculture, & data analytics alongside WSU Everett students, alumni, and faculty. Students learned about high-demand education pathways offered at WSU Everett, as well as financial aid opportunities that might help students reach their goals. Our partners at the College Success Foundation engaged students and their families with information on the variety of financial aid options.
Stay tuned for more Girls Explore STEM coming next school year!
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STEM Like MeSM Career Exploration
Career exploration for 120 students in 100 minutes!
Snohomish STEM coordinated with local industry professionals and K12 educators to bring STEM Like ME!℠ career exploration programming back in-person. Centennial Middle School students engaged with local industry professionals in STEM fields to learn more about careers available right here in Snohomish County. The STEM Like ME!℠ program introduces students to STEM careers and educational pathways to help spark an interest in STEM prior to 8th grade to support STEM discernment in High School & Beyond plans. Students engaged with hands-on activities led by STEM experts who shared their personal journeys and insights.
Student survey data revealed a significant impact with a 59% increase in knowledge and awareness of STEM careers among attendees. Additionally, there was a 12% rise in student intent to pursue STEM careers and a 6% increase in prioritizing STEM education. Overall, survey data indicated a 179% growth in knowledge about education pathways that lead to STEM careers. These pathways include apprenticeships, technical certificates, 2-year and 4-year degrees, as well as graduate degrees.
The success of this event was made possible by partnerships with Snohomish County Public Works, IRG Physical & Hand Therapy, Harmsen LLC., and Centennial Middle School staff including Principal Josh Rosenbach. Big thanks to our volunteers from EASC, SBDC, our CCW NW team, and PTAC, an APEX Accelerator.
By continuing to collaborate with local businesses and education partners, the Snohomish STEM Network and Career Connect Northwest are dedicated to ensuring students have access to the necessary resources and opportunities for exploring and pursuing STEM careers.
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W.A.V.E. Tour
More than 400 people attended the Washington Apprenticeship Vocational Education (WAVE) Tour from April 24 – April 28 at the newly renovated Northwest Carpenter’s Institute in Burlington, Washington. Students from 25 high schools in Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and Snohomish counties participated in hands-on activities to help them learn more about careers in construction trades. Small groups of students moved through 6 stations and spent 25 minutes on each trade.
Each day featured different trades, including Carpenters, Construction Laborers Local 292, Electricians IBEW 191, Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal Workers, Plumbers & Pipefitters, Snohomish PUD, AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, and Puget Sound Energy. Tradespeople also advised students to practice their math skills while in high school since many trade apprenticeship applications include a math test and on-the-job quick calculations.
Out of the students attending, 89% reported that they learned more about apprenticeship than they knew before. When asked to rate their knowledge of apprenticeships on a 7-point scale, students reported an average of a 2-point increase in knowledge. Additionally, 59% of students responded that they were interested in being contacted directly regarding apprenticeship opportunities. More than 60% of those who attended are preparing to graduate from high school or are in a specific program to prepare to enter the trades.
While students were building forms for concrete and an appreciation for the trades, event volunteers were building partnerships. To organize an event this size and length, the WAVE Tour planning committee, led by Mary Powers, Career Connected Learning Specialist for the Career Connect Washington Northwest (CCWNW) Regional Network hosted at the Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD), assembled a group of 16 volunteers from the NW Washington STEM Network, Snohomish STEM, Northwest Workforce Council, FuturesNW, the Association of General Contractors Education Foundation, the Northwest Career and Technical Academy (NCTA), and retired community members and former teachers.
Read more here.
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Monroe Gets High Marks in Vocational Excellence Awards
The Everett Herald reports, “Monroe School District took the top honors in this year’s vocational excellence awards. The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) is a merit-based scholarship honoring the state’s top career and technical students. More than 250 high school seniors and community college students applied this year; 108 were selected. Among the winners were five Monroe students, the most from any area this year, according to the Workforce Board, which administers the award.
“Recipients can receive up to $5,200 a year, for a maximum of two years. The grant can be used to cover tuition and other expenses at Washington colleges, universities and private career schools. In all, $1.1 million in scholarships were awarded.”
Congratulations, Monroe School District students!
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Financial Aid Completion: Monroe & Lake Stevens High Schools
Monroe High School and Lake Stevens High Schools are celebrating successful Financial Aid Weeks! College Success Foundation partnered with Snohomish STEM Network to develop the financial aid week model which utilizes school advisory periods, as well as lunches, to help students complete their financial aid applications.
Together, these financial aid weeks served 30+ students, with 25 completing their financial aid applications. This is an incredible accomplishment that shows the dedication and commitment of both schools to help students achieve their academic goals. Congratulations to all those involved!
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EARLY LEARNING & CHILD CARE | | |
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Reports, Resources, and Tools
Washington STEM partners with STEM Networks across the state to identify local solutions that center community priorities. Early STEM programming and systems-level work is tailored in partnership with communities to ensure children, families, and educators have access to inspiring STEM learning opportunities and resources.
Locally, the Snohomish STEM Network serves Snohomish County, and the NW Washington STEM Network serves Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties.
Early Learning, Financial Aid, and Postsecondary Learning Reports and interactive dashboards include:
- STEM by the Numbers dashboards
- State of the Children dashboard
- Child Care Business Feasibility Estimator
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Family Friendly Workplace regional reports *see Coffee Chat event above for more info
- State of the Children regional reports
View the reports and interactive dashboards here.
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