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Are you committed to career connected learning and STEM education? Our network partners at West Sound STEM are looking for a new team member. Applications close on December 8 for the Career and Connected Learning Manger position. Learn more and apply here:
https://bit.ly/3cF7wMG
Growing up in Kitsap County, just as many of my high school classmates were interested in the apprenticeship program at PSNS as were planning to go to a 4 year college. That's because our community knows that there is more than one pathway to family wage jobs.
The word has gotten out. In the last year, across Washington, there were 21,710 apprentices -- an all time high!
But over the years I've talked to person after person who, like my dad and my Grampo, started their career as an apprentice in the trades. Their work eventually caught up with their body. Bad knees, hearing loss, a shoulder injury. They needed to pivot. Or perhaps they want to advance into management.
For a lot of workers, that means thinking about college for the first time. And feeling daunted by stepping into a classroom for the first time in a decade or more, by starting from the beginning again.
That's why I've been working with Senator Karen Keiser to make sure that every apprenticeship grad in Washington also graduates with a transferrable associate degree. This honors the hours on-the-job training and ensures that if and when they choose to go back to school, the door is open a little wider.
We'll also work to streamline financial aid for apprentices -- funded in the expanded Washington College Grant we passed a few years ago. (Remember that bill that makes college free for a family of 4 that makes $56k or less, and makes college more affordable for middle income families?) Just like their peers at our community & technical colleges, apprenticeship students will soon be able to access financial aid at the very same financial aid office.
This is exciting, innovative work, and wouldn't be possible without strong partnerships with the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Washington Education Association, Washington’s Community and Technical Colleges, AFT Washington, AFL-CIO, West Sound STEM, and so many, many more.
Read our op-ed hot off The Seattle Times presses at the link in comments 👇🏽
Our STEM Network partners West Sound STEM and South Central Washington STEM are leveraging community strengths and resources to boost student FAFSA and WASFA completion rates, which are strong indicators of postsecondary student outcomes.
https://bit.ly/3FtFP5U
The wonders of the universe are in reach for more than 10,000 students in Washington thanks to a partnership between West Sound STEM and Slooh!
STEM doesn't just happen in a lab! Teachers saw this first hand at a STEM Café hosted by Sound STEM in collaboration with Construction Center of Excellence. The event featured women working in non-traditional trade occupations. Teachers explored the challenges and benefits of STEM-focused trade careers and learned strategies to help students learn about and plan for these careers.
When students study Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, they aren't just learning vital skills; they are receiving the foundation that can lead to a future job. With these skills they can engineer a new airplane or boat, develop new energy technologies to combat the climate crisis, or invent new technologies that will drive the country forward. That’s why I’m thrilled that the House Appropriations Committee has advanced federal funding this week to support the West Sound STEM – which is doing crucial work to advance STEM education for students in Kitsap County and across the Olympic Peninsula. I’ll keep working to get this measure signed into law so we can further support youth education in these crucial fields - which can help lead to more job opportunities for them in the future, more qualified employees for local employers, and more economic resiliency for our communities.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-appropriations-committee-advances-federal-funding-to-invest-in-stem-education-on-olympic-peninsula
Another bill signed and sealed! ✅ ICYMI, earlier this month the governor signed SB 5227 - our bill championed by students, staff, and faculty at higher ed institutions around the state!
It's a policy that builds equity training and assessments (think diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism work) into learning opportunities for both educators and students.
Our higher ed communities increasingly reflect the diversity in our state. This policy's about creating environments where every learner, professor, administrator can flourish, connect with their community members, share their stories, celebrate each other, take their next steps into the workforce on the career path they dream of.
Honored that I got to work alongside so many as chair of Higher Education & Workforce Development - not just as a legislator but also as a first-generation graduate myself - as we create even better higher ed experiences for *everyone.*
📸 with West Sound STEM community partners at an event in 2019!
From our wonderful STEM Network partner, West Sound STEM
Virtual Summer Camps for children in the West Sound region
Washington STEM, alongside West Sound STEM, Child Care Aware of Washington, and Washington Communities for Children, shine a light on the child care crisis in the Kitsap/Olympic region.
https://bit.ly/3mddKHl
A special thanks to Sen. Christine Rolfes for her continued focus in the state legislature on Washington families and kids.
North Mason School District has a close relationship with the West Sound STEM Network, which promotes and supports STEM education throughout the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.
Our teachers have been active participants in workshops and cohorts to enhance STEM education for our students, even during times of remote learning. 💻💻💻
Examples of workshops include STEM Cafés, such as the café held this past fall where Snap Circuits were shipped to teachers to use during remote instruction. Teachers explored how electricity travels and powers their home. Participants learned how energy transfer, fuses and circuit breakers work and built a house with real, working 3-D circuits.
As with all STEM Cafés, this professional development opportunity was grounded in Washington State Learning Standards.
Teachers have taken the opportunity to learn how to offer interactive STEM lessons that can be used even during remote learning. We are proud of our teachers!
SO so honored! 🙏🏽 Thank you Washington STEM! It's so special to work with you in service of our students - championing education opportunities and building economic resiliency and a healthy future for our state while we're at it. Alongside a coalition of such hardworking education all-stars (like NW Washington STEM Network, West Sound STEM, Graduate Strong, Washington Student Achievement Council, and so many others!) I'm hopeful about what we can accomplish together. 🤩
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