RELEASE: Five Schools, One District Named STEM Lighthouse Schools

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Five Schools, One District Named STEM Lighthouse Schools

Will receive $20,000 and serve as mentors to other schools

OLYMPIA—February 25, 2016—A total of five schools and one district will serve as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math mentors to other schools in the state.

Known as STEM Lighthouse Schools, the six were recently awarded $20,000 grants each that will promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other elementary, middle, and high schools that are creating their own STEM environments.

 

The six schools/districts are:

• Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education, CASEE (Battle Ground)
• Cleveland High School (Seattle)
• North Central High School Institute of Science and Technology (Spokane)
• Spanaway Middle School (Bethel)
• Sultan High School (Sultan)
• Medical Lake School District

“Lighthouse schools represent the entire state,” said Randy Dorn, state superintendent. “They are located in large and small districts, in the east and in the west, and with many different demographics. And that helps them serve as leaders and examples of what can happen with STEM education.”

STEM Lighthouse schools began in 2010 with the state Legislature’s passage of House Bill 2621.The bill directs the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to designate lighthouse schools. The schools, according to the bill, will “serve as resources and examples of how to combine the following best practices:

• Small, highly personalized learning communities;
• An interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), delivered through a project-based instructional approach; and
• Active partnerships with businesses and the local community to connect learning beyond the classroom.”

Since 2011, a total of 32 schools and 4 districts have been named STEM Lighthouse schools.

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Contact

Nathan Olson
OSPI Communications Manager
360-725-6015

Kristen Jaudon
OSPI Communications Specialist
360-725-6032

About OSPI

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state's 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.