View the Spanish translation of our newsletter.

January 2026 Newsletter

From the Director’s Desk: Welcome to 2026

As we kick off 2026, we’re excited to continue partnering with educators, schools, and community organizations across the region to strengthen career-connected learning in STEM.

This winter and spring, we invite you to join us in our math initiatives, designed to support educators with tools, resources, and professional learning aligned to classroom practice and student pathways. We also encourage you to explore (or revisit!) our Educator Lending Library, which offers standards-aligned, classroom-ready kits available at no cost to educators delivered directly to your local district office.

If you’re looking for a specific kit or wondering how a resource might align to your program, course, or curriculum goals, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always happy to help identify materials that meet your needs and support meaningful learning experiences for students.

Here’s to a year of collaboration, curiosity, and collective impact. We look forward to learning and building together in 2026.

— Sarah Whiteside

Director, Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

Reserve Kits Now for the Winter Term.

Distribution starts the week of January 5. We have a huge collection of kits available to cover topics from math and science to tech and engineering, and beyond!

Place a hold on a STEAM kit today!

Need a quick refresher on how the Educator Lending Library system works?

Visit our Quick Use Guide.

The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub (MVSCH) is one of 13 STEM Hubs across the state of Oregon. Serving the 11 public school districts in Linn and Benton Counties, MVSCH is committed to providing high-quality resources to educators in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Support your local STEM hub.

The space supports everything from creating classroom assets and repairing materials to skill-sharing, Open Education Resource development, and peer-led learning.

The MILL operates through a cooperative model—members share responsibility for keeping the space active, safe, and welcoming. In lieu of fees, members contribute service hours each term by hosting workshops, supervising open hours, creating 
open-source resources, or supporting new members.

Fill out the membership interest form

Free Counted Out Screenings

"Math is more than just numbers—it’s a language for reason, a foundation for truth, and a tool for democracy."

Join the national conversation on the growing crisis of math illiteracy and its impact on equity and opportunity in education.

The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub is offering nine free screening licenses for the acclaimed documentary Counted Out. By partnering with us, educators can save $500 in licensing fees and bring this powerful film and discussion to their school or community.

Spark dialogue. Challenge assumptions. Empower change.



Reserve your screening license today and host a conversation that matters.

We’re supporting a statewide initiative to better understand and strengthen computer science (CS) education in elementary schools. A short, 15-minute survey is available for elementary teachers, principals, and district superintendents. Participants will receive a free Hour of Code experience from BootUp and be entered to win a $30 Amazon gift card.

Survey links:

• Teachers: http://bit.ly/3GVvci7

• Principals: http://bit.ly/43bl4t0

• Superintendents: 
http://bit.ly/3Zjtq0v

Please help us spread the word—every response helps build a clearer picture of CS learning opportunities across the state.

Thank You, Deb Mumm-Hill!

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Deb Mumm-Hill as she heads into retirement from Oregon STEM.

Deb’s leadership, partnership, and deep commitment to students have left a lasting impact on Oregon’s STEM ecosystem. Her work supporting STEM Hubs statewide has helped elevate regional voices and strengthen shared learning across the network.

We are deeply grateful for Deb’s years of service, vision, and generosity of spirit, and we wish her all the best in this next chapter.

With appreciation,

Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

ABOUT US

Visit the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub 

website to learn more about us and find out how YOU can get involved.