Students in Kent and other South King County school districts are gaining improved opportunities for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) due to the coordinated work of business and education groups.
At the same time, Washington’s STEM industries are gaining access to a more highly trained workforce.
Washington STEM on May 2 announced a grant of $270,000 to launch the South King County STEM Network. This newly formed network of school districts, businesses, higher education, workforce development, research institutes, and public/private organizations will work collaboratively to improve STEM education outcomes for students in the region.
Washington STEM is a statewide nonprofit advancing equity, excellence, and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math education. Launched in March 2011, the group invests in and lifts up breakthrough ideas and promising practices that bridge education and our economy through STEM.
The South King County STEM Network will weave STEM education outcomes into the already-established Road Map Project, impacting seven districts in the region: Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, South Seattle and Tukwila.
The Road Map Project is a civic initiative aimed at driving major improvements in education results — cradle to college and career — in the low-income communities of South Seattle and South King County. The STEM Network will advance the Project’s aim to close the achievement gap and double the number of students who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020, fueling the Puget Sound’s robust STEM economies.
The South King County STEM Network’s lead agency is Puget Sound Educational Service District.
“We are very excited to lead this effort on behalf of the Network, which will increase opportunities for students to pursue STEM education and careers,” said John Welch, incoming Educations Service District superintendent and chair of the Network’s leadership team. “This partnership will help close the opportunity gap and meet real education and workforce needs in our region.”
For more information about Washington STEM, go to www.washingtonstem.org.
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