Leveraging STEM for Social Change

Incredible 2014 momentum is propelling Washington STEM into a new year with the promise of fresh programs and more exciting initiatives in STEM education. Thank you for supporting this critical work!

In the final quarter of 2014, we convened leaders, codified strategy, and rolled out some really cool programs and communications to improve STEM education in Washington state:

The 2014 Washington STEM Summit, presented by Microsoft, drew national attention and catalyzed collective action.

• The 340-person event had standing room only to hear keynotes by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Gov. Inslee, garnered national media attention, and was broadcast on TV-W. As well, the Boston Consulting Group released their new report, Opportunity for All: Investing in Washington’s STEM Pipeline at the Summit.

We completed the Washington STEM Framework for Action and Accountability, which was then adopted by the Governor’s STEM Education Innovation Alliance.

• The completed Framework was released at the Summit, which was publicly adopted by the Governor’s STEM Education Innovation Alliance. More than 200 organizations identified their activities as Framework-aligned

Our STEM Network Hour of Code campaign increased number of participating public school sites by 76 percent in our STEM Network regions, for a total of 314 Washington schools!

• The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials are available in over 30 languages. No experience needed.

We published our second Common Core and Next Gen Pioneer STEM in Action story featuring elementary math teacher Des Hall.

• Hall is a maestro at making mathematics real and engaging to students. Her students build aerodynamic paper planes and measure the distance they cover, converting answers into metrics. They figure out money problems using oversized dollar bills. They go to the Home Depot website to figure out how Hall can remodel her bathroom on a budget of $2,000.

We ran two bi-partisan Computer Science Legislative Roundtables which highlighted the need for increased computer science degree production in Washington state.

• “Developing a more robust computer science workforce is key to the economic vitality of Washington state, which is home to some of the most innovative technology companies in the world,” Congresswoman Suzan DelBene said at the Kirkland Computer Science Roundtable.

Our STEM-PD program expanded to an additional seven schools.

• This initiative explores how using web-based video technology and remote, real-time coaching can create great professional learning experiences for teachers, resulting in higher student achievement.

This year, we're approaching fresh challenges with a strategic eye. We're expanding our reach to three new STEM Networks and tackling initiatives in work-based STEM learning, computer science, and math. Look out for new program descriptions and ways to get involved.

If you ever have any questions or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to contact me at 206.658.4334 or gillia@washingtonstem.org.