The Spokane STEM Network, housed within Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), is NEWESD 101’s Career Connect Washington (CCW) Regional Network; one of nine CCW Regional Networks across the state, identified by educational service districts (ESD). CCW Regional Networks play an integral role in scaling regional, cross-industry partnerships that lead to expansion of career connected learning (CCL) opportunities for Washington youth. |
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Written by Jessica Gerdes and Ken Roberts
The WSU College of Medicine has been awarded a Career Connect Washington Program Intermediary Grant to develop and implement a Career Preparation Program for 9th and 10th grade students in Stevens County. The goal of this proposal is to create Career and Technical Learning coursework that will build upon an 8th grade mentoring program. The 9th grade health course will touch all aspects of the healthcare delivery system and health career research and will include CPR certification and a capstone project addressing healthcare access issues faced by residents of Stevens county. The 10th grade course is a human-focused Anatomy & Physiology course that will prepare, and inspire, students for work in health science fields. These two courses will comprise a CTE course that will lead into career launch offerings proposed for 11th and 12th grade. This work is part of a continuum that will prepare students for careers in the health sciences.
Read more about the program here.
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Career Connect Washington is excited to share their report, "Building an Equitable Career Connected Learning System: Program Builders Survey Report." This report shows the findings from a survey of career connected learning program builders.The purpose of this research is to fill a gap in quantitative data on barriers students face in accessing career connected learning in order to help inform policy recommendations to lower or eliminate barriers and encourage more equitable participation in and completion of career connected learning programs. Key findings can be found on page 2 of the report. Thank you to many of our partners who took this survey in September 2020 to help compile this data! Please feel free to share this report with your networks and please let us know if this report sparks any thoughts or feedback you would like to share.
The report can be found here.
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GSI Welcomes a New Intern
Greater Spokane Inc. is pleased to announce our new intern. Sarthak Shresthna is a sophomore at Central Valley High School. He has an interest in business and, upon researching GSI’s involvement in Spokane’s local businesses, reached out to our Education and Talent team to inquire about an internship. He will be working in each of the departments to see what they do and explore different career ideas and opportunities. We look forward to virtually hosting him this Spring.
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Written by Allison Wilson
For our youngest learners, it’s not the number of costly toys or flashcards that is of utmost importance but rather something completely free, talking. Language is central to all strands of a child’s development, including early math. In fact, research suggests that the quality of interactions and the number of conversational turns between caregivers and young children are most important for brain development. Conversational turns are simple back and forth exchanges between a child and an adult, like in a game of tennis or ping pong. The most powerful types of conversations are playful, engaging, and anchored in responsive interactions based on the interests and familiar routines of children. Everyday spaces and routines such as grocery stores, mealtimes, laundry duties and our neighborhood are filled with language-rich learning opportunities for intentional math conversation.
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In our last newsletter we asked you to vote for the Community Colleges of Spokane, who were up for a Strong Communities Award from The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. We are happy to follow up with the good news that CCS won the award in the urban division for their Running Start for Career Initiative! The money awarded by FHLB will support the Running Start program which offers local high school students an opportunity to complete college level training while still in high school.
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Mobius Science Center is now offering STEAM Kits for kids to have a hands-on experience from home in a variety of STEAM subjects. Kits cover subjects such as Space Science, Flower Dissection, Igloos and more! They come complete with instructions and supplies, and are designed for kids and families to do at home together.
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Written by Jen Gamon
N2X is excited to announce its “STEM Series Interactive Podcast,” a professional development tool for educators. The “STEM Series” is a downloadable app that gives you professional development credit for the time you spend listening to, reflecting on, and verbally responding to questions asked in the podcast which are then recorded by our servers. The hands free podcasts can be listened to anywhere - while walking, driving, accomplishing tasks, or just relaxing. Your purchase allows you full access to the series and you can earn up to 15 clock hours. It’s that easy. Topics include project-based learning, NGSS alignment, partnering with industry and higher education, perspectives from a range of educational innovators, career connections and STEM applications for all grade levels and abilities. Good teaching is good for all learners.
Register and purchase access to the entire series or listen to 2 free episodes here.
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CMTV-Virtual Business Afterschool: Come learn about careers in television production! Middle and high school students and teachers who attend this workshop will learn about camera operation, editing, lighting and more! Register here!
SAJB Science Fair Extravaganza: Visit virtual booths and find new things to learn and fun activities to do. Area teachers can utilize it as part of their curriculum and the science fair is open 24/7 to anyone who is interested.
HUB STEM Camps: The HUB Sports Center and N2X team will be delivering STEM camps this year for students K-8 who are interested in a hands on STEM experience that enhances their learning process. Learn more and sign up here.
Education Grows Economies: Support the continuation and growth of many of these programs by voting YES on February 9th for school levies. Visit the regional website to learn more about all 13 districts’ ballot measures.
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Ongoing Career Connected Learning Resources |
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CareerExploreNW: a community tool designed to guide people toward a job or career as well as help region employers create a talent pipeline.
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CareerConnect@Home: a virtual career exploration opportunity for students to learn about real jobs and industries in Washington.
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Wagstaff Business Afterschool: Watch a recording of our last virtual Business Afterschool and learn about careers in manufacturing!
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Virtual Exploration Resources from Fairchild AFB: check out Fairchild AFB's YouTube channel where they have videos featuring jobs in the air force. You can get an up close look at military working dogs, explosive disposal, and more!
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Mobius Virtual Programs: Follow along with 1 hour, live, virtual STEM experiences guided by a Mobius Educator on Zoom. From dissections to experiments, these interactive programs focus on building a strong STEM foundation with engaging science activities and demonstrations. This program is for families looking to ignite their student’s inner scientist through a small group live session.
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STEM Events: Stay up to date on current events and submit your own to our calendar!
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FAFSA/WAFSA Workshops: The College Success Foundation will be hosting virtual workshops to help you complete your FAFSA/WAFSA applications. The schedule is still TBD but if you have any questions or wish to attend please reach out to Cassidy Peterson.
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We Need Your Help! Have You Facilitated Events Or Opportunities That Have Taught Students About Careers? |
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As part of Spokane STEM's responsibility as NEWESD 101's Career Connect Washington Regional Network, data needs to be collected about experiences that introduce students to careers. This could be anything from career fairs, classroom speakers, career panels, worksite tours, job shadows and more.
If you have helped create the experiences, or know someone who has, please complete this survey. Data helps us better tell the story about career connected learning happening in our region, to pair with what else is happening across the state. Thank you!
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Spokane STEM Network Founding Investors |
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About Spokane STEM
Spokane STEM is a collaborative effort of early learning, K-12, higher education, business and community organizations to further STEM learning and innovation throughout our region. The work of Spokane STEM is supported by Greater Spokane Inc., in partnership with the NorthEast Washington Education Service District 101.
About Career Connect WA
Career Connect Washington was created by Governor Jay Inslee, with support and funding provided by the Washington State Legislature, to provide our state’s young people with expanded opportunities to gain real-world experience through a fully integrated career connected learning system. Business, labor, educators, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and many others have come together to create a strategy for making these opportunities available in every part of our state to every student as part of their academic journey.
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801 W. Riverside, Suite 100
Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509.624.1393
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