New report reveals post-pandemic challenge
Some recent news reminds us at The STEM Foundation of both our mission’s importance and the continuing challenge our community faces as another school year begins.
After years of steady improvement in the number of students projected to attain post-secondary credentials by age 26, new estimates from the Washington Roundtable business group show a significant reversal to that trend for the high school class of 2021 (the latest class for which data was available).
According to the Washington Roundtable Report, 40 percent of that class are estimated to earn post-secondary credentials, including two- and four-year degrees, apprenticeships, and industry-aligned certificates and licenses. That’s three percentage points lower than the pre-pandemic class of 2019 (no estimates were made for the 2020 class). For Mid-Columbia students, the percentages are even lower, well short of the 70 percent goal by 2030 the Foundation has set.
With school underway, we have a heightened need for STEM professionals to volunteer to participate in various community educational outreach programs. If you want to help expand student career aspirations, contact the Foundation office, and let us help you explore potential connections.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of The STEM Foundation.
Matt Hammer, Board President
Deb Bowen, Executive Director
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"Nearly a third of the progress made since the class of 2006 was wiped out during the pandemic." ~ A new report from the Washington Roundtable, detailing a significant backslide in the number of high school graduates in the state who go on to post-secondary education or credentialing.
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Congratulations Round 11 Program Builder Awardees |
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These organizations have been funded by Career Connect Washington Program Builders grants to develop or expand career connected learning programs serving young people. |
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Congratulations to the four awardees from Mid-Columbia region!
Columbia Basin College – New/Expanding Career Launch in automotive (Benton, Franklin)
Washington State University (Tri-Cities Teaching Bridge) – Expanded Career Launch in Education (Benton, Franklin)
Washington State University (Tri-Cities Nursing Bridge) – New Career Launch in healthcare (Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia)
Walla Walla Community College – New Career Launch in energy systems technology (Asotin, Garfield, Whitman)
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Wenatchee School District – Expanded Career Launch in information technology (Chelan, Douglas)
Colville Confederated Tribes – New Career Launch in natural resources (Okanogan, Ferry)
Eat on the Wild Side – New Career Launch in maritime (Statewide)
Skills Inc. – New Career Launch in manufacturing (Pierce, King)
Edmonds College – New Career Launch in healthcare (Snohomish)
Machinists Institute – Expanded Career Prep in advanced manufacturing (Pierce)
Jefferson County Public Hospital District #2 – New Career Prep in healthcare (Jefferson)
Pierce Center for Arts & Technology – New Career Prep in healthcare (Pierce)
Pacific Education Institute (Aquaculture & Fisheries) – New Career Prep in aquaculture and fisheries (Jefferson, Kitsap, Clallam, Okanogan, Pierce)
AGC Education Foundation – Enhanced Career Prep in construction (Statewide)
Educational Service District 105 – New Career Prep in construction, advanced manufacturing, healthcare (Yakima)
Mentors in Tech – Enhanced Career Prep in information technology (Pierce, King)
WA Maritime Blue – Expanded Career Prep in maritime (King)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington – Expanded Career Explore in multiple industries (Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor)
Nooksack Valley School District – New Career Explore in advanced multiple industries (Whatcom)
Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County – New Career Explore in healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing (Snohomish)
Washington State University (Wahkiakum) – Expanded Career Explore in information technology, maritime, advanced manufacturing (Wahkiakum)
Northwest Maritime Center – New Career Explore in maritime (King)
Coding for All – New Career Explore in information technology (Snohomish)
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Program Builders Spotlight: Teaching Bridge Program |
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Teaching Bridge, a CCW Career Launch Endorsed program, is a partnership between Washington State University Tri-Cities and Kennewick School District that delivers a career and credential pathway for KSD students interested in pursuing a teaching career. This innovative program is the first of its kind in the state and was funded by Program Builders grants. |
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Round 12 Funding Coming Soon! |
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To learn more about Career Connect Washington, click here.
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To receive Career Connect Washington email news announcements and updates, click here.
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Career Connected Learning and Data Resources
CCW Career Connected Learning Directory: A statewide tool that connects young people to Career Explore, Career Prep, and Career Launch programs available in their communities. Also provides direct links to community-based support services to help remove barriers to participation in career connected learning.
CareerExploreNW: A community tool designed to guide people toward a job or career as well as help the region's employers create a talent pipeline. Watch interviews with local professionals who are currently working in an industry or take a virtual tour inside local companies.
Washington Workforce Portal: A free, searchable database of available internships and work-based learning opportunities in Washington. Students can create a free account, upload their resume, and immediately start searching and applying! Employers can post internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and mentorship opportunities. To learn more, contact Brooke Myrland, Workforce & Education Manager, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
interested in learning about career connected learning and apprenticeships in the building
trades.
Washington Career Bridge: The popular, public-facing career and education portal created and managed by the Workforce Board also features new videos on hundreds of careers courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Take the career quiz. Then catch a video and see if a new career might be right for you!
Manufacturing in the Classroom: The AWB Institute has published an array of resources which are aimed at supporting career pathways in manufacturing and better connecting classrooms to employers.
STEM by the Numbers: Washington STEM's report series offers both statewide and region-by-region analyses of the need for STEM talent and opportunities. The data helps create a through-line from classroom to career for Washington students.
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Oct 6 | 8AM - 1PM | Virtual
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Columbia Basin College School of Health Services will be hosting a series of informational sessions on the various courses, certifications, and degrees available for a career in health care.
These one hour sessions are free, to learn more or to register click here.
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Oct 17 | 11AM - 3PM |
WSU Tri-Cities Campus
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Washington State University Tri-Cities will be hosting a Career & Internship Fair on their campus.
Students, employers, and community members are invited to attend and learn about career opportunities in our area.
Registration is required. To learn more or to register, click here.
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Mid-Columbia STEM Nexus Initiative funding impacts local students
more than 150 elementary students in 3rd through 5th grade participated in a week-long Summer STEM Camp on the Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College campuses this summer. The Nexus grant awarded to support Summer STEM camps was a two-year grant, which provided 250 elementary students, from the Tri-Cities and Kiona-Benton City school districts the opportunity to explore the environment, the engineering design process, computational thinking, coding, and art.
To learn more or to invest into this initiative, click here.
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“I enjoyed engineering because I got to build a lot of fun things. I failed in some, but I laughed a lot and had fun.” - Student (4th Grade)
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STEM Like ME!® is a suite of school-based programs, teacher grants, and professional development opportunities that broadens students’ awareness and perceptions of STEM careers and the coursework and skills necessary to pursue them.
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Created and led by The STEM Foundation, STEM Like ME!® programs
have inspired more than 31,500 students across Washington.
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Below are highlights of the programs being presented during the 2023-24 school year: |
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STEM Like ME!® Explore: Students meet with a series of STEM professionals, participate in engaging hands-on activities, learn about career pathways and begin to create their own vision of a rewarding and purposeful career path.
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STEM Like ME!® Design: Students are introduced to a STEM professional who shares various engineering career options, their personal career pathway journey and what they like about their career. A design challenge competition is linked to the program to engage students beyond the classroom experience.
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STEM Like ME!® School-Based Internship: Students work in small teams with host company staff and a classroom instructor to create and present solutions to a real-world challenge that correlates with classroom curriculum. The internship features in-class activities coupled with a workplace component.
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STEM Like ME!® Empower: Students are provided with tools and training to identify personal strengths, interests, talents and traits that can impact career selection and satisfaction. Program ties closely with the state-required High School and Beyond Plan. Students interact with STEM professionals to see how their unique traits align with potential careers.
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STEM Like ME!® Grants for Teachers: The program supports pioneering K-12 educators who implement ideas that bring real-life STEM professionals as volunteers to the classroom, impacting career connected learning in meaningful ways.
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If you are interested in learning more about STEM Like ME!® programs, including hosting or volunteering during the 2023-2024 school year, please email Heather Tibbett, Program Manager, The STEM Foundation.
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Check out STEM Like ME!® in the classroom! |
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The STEM Foundation
Dana Munn, Newsletter Editor
P.O. Box 1617
Richland, WA 99352
Phone: 509.420.9316
WashingtonSTEMeducation.org
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