<p>August 26, 2014 | SEATTLE, WA – Washington STEM announced today nearly $4 million in investments in innovative, regionally based programs aimed at improving teaching and learning of science, engineering, technology, and math across Washington state.<br />&nbsp;<br />The statewide nonprofit's investments have two main focuses: (1) Continuing the growth of regional STEM Networks across the state and (2) Expanding its cutting-edge professional development initiative to help teachers with implementation of the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.<br />&nbsp;<br />"These investments will bring STEM professionals, educators, and communities together to improve STEM education and prepare our students for the STEM careers that drive Washington state's economy," said Patrick D’Amelio, Washington STEM CEO. "The networks will improve STEM education coordination in their community and across the state; and rigorous, high-quality teacher professional development will help ensure students in the classroom are STEM literate."<br /><br /><strong>Regional STEM Networks</strong></p><p>Subject to meeting specific grant requirements, each of the seven regional networks will receive $200,000 over the next three years to partner with Washington STEM and continue growing systems in which educators, employers, and community leaders work together to match STEM education to STEM career opportunities in their communities. STEM Networks have been created in seven regions around the state: Mid-Columbia (Tri-Cities), Snohomish, South Central (Yakima), South King County, Southwest Washington, Spokane, and West Sound (Bremerton). While working with Washington STEM to meet grant guidelines, each network is tailoring their approach to unique regional needs and opportunities. Detailed descriptions of the networks can be found at <a _mce_href="http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks" href="http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks">www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks</a>.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />"The grant will bring STEM professionals into classrooms and students into STEM work places in south-central Washington communities and build programs that train our young people for the jobs of the future," said Jeff Charbonneau, ESD 105 STEM Coordinator and 2013 National Teacher of the Year. "The investment will help bring our plans to fruition and learn best practices from STEM Networks across the state."<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Math and Science Professional Development</strong></p><p>The STEM Networks help stream innovations into the schools including the teacher professional development initiative known as STEM-PD. Building on a pilot project in the Anacortes, Nooksack, Bellevue, Renton, and Highline school districts, Washington STEM is investing $2.5 million to expand the STEM-PD initiative to 45 schools statewide, the majority of which are in STEM Networks. Additionally, six teachers will be participating individually to share their practice to teachers across the initiative as they explore new ways to use technology in their professional learning.<br />&nbsp;<br />"The key to successful STEM learning is excellence in STEM teaching," said Sandi Everlove, Chief Learning Officer at Washington STEM. "Washington STEM's professional development innovations will help spread best practices and help teachers share ideas and techniques around the state and beyond.”<br />&nbsp;<br />The professional development initiative uses state-of-the art technology that enables teachers to take charge of their own professional learning. With this technology, teachers can collaborate, share and learn from one another, and request real-time coaching.<br />&nbsp;<br />“This technology helps me overcome big constraints, like location and time, to provide personalized and high quality professional development to teachers,” said Bethany Sjoberg, Science Coach at Highline Public Schools. "I look forward to sharing this with teachers around Washington state as we prepare all our students for a world in which STEM education is vital."<br />&nbsp;<br />For a list of schools participating in the professional development initiative, go to <a _mce_href="http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd" href="http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd">www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd</a><br />&nbsp;<br />###<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>About Washington STEM</strong><br />Washington STEM is a statewide nonprofit advancing excellence, equity, and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Launched in March 2011 with support from the business, education, and philanthropic communities, our goal is to reimagine and revitalize STEM education across Washington. For more information, go to <a _mce_href="http://www.washingtonstem.org" href="http://www.washingtonstem.org">www.washingtonstem.org</a><br /><br _mce_bogus="1" /></p>