February 2024 Newsletter

Sweet Home student testing the strength and flexibility of their structure on a shake table during a Mobile Makerspace event.

View the Spanish translation of our newsletter here.

Hello and happy February-

I hope this finds you and yours well after the recent spate of treacherous weather. The news has been full of stories of both the devastating impacts of the storms as well as the incredible ingenuity and heroism of individuals and communities helping one another. It is a silver lining with ties to STEAM and CTE. 

The world is rapidly changing. From the climate to AI, STEM literacy is critical preparation for the future. STEAM and CTE education foster mindsets and skillsets that are creative, innovative, diverse, and resilient for confronting complex challenges and empowering lifelong learning. 

We can see the impacts of this changing landscape reflected in the data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that STEM occupations grew 79 percent in past 30 years. They’re projected to increase by an additional 11 percent by 2030. Equitable STEAM and CTE education for all is key to igniting students’ curiosity, widening pathways into STEM careers, and, ultimately, solving the world’s most pressing problems.

While no small undertaking, it is exactly what we at the Hub are here to do and we’re so grateful to all of you engaged in this work with us. Read on to find out more about the many projects, programs, and partners bringing this vision to life across the mid-valley’s STEAM ecosystem.

Thanks and be well,

Sarah Whiteside,

Director

In our December newsletter, we highlighted the launch of STEAM for the Win, initiated by one of our Program Coordinators, Chris Singer. The primary objective is to introduce STEAM activities to the Philomath School District's Special Education, Life Skills, and Youth Transition Program. In the ongoing second phase, students have begun learning the assembly and construction of drones.

Keep Reading...

NW Natural Leader to Join Hub

Leadership Team

The Hub is pleased to announce the selection of Sama Shagaga (NW Natural Partnerships and Government Affairs) to our volunteer Leadership Team.

Sama has graciously offered his advocacy and leadership to the team of 16 working individually and collectively alongside our director, Sarah Whiteside, to magnify our impact in this regional area.

‘NW Natural has identified workforce development as a major investment over the coming years. We've stepped into new workforce partnerships across the valley and are looking to deepen those over the coming years. We've committed to an annual scholarship for trades students at LBCC and want to host an annual externship opportunity with the MVSCH. We want to find ways to continue to support this work and provide opportunities for us to connect our Albany resource center with the community.’

-Sama Shagaga

Sama is thrilled to be starting this journey with the Hub. Congratulations and welcome to our Leadership Team!