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Roger Rich
STEM Program Supervisor
roger.rich@k12.wa.us
Ellen Ebert
Science Director
ellen.ebert@k12.wa.us
With a growing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills gap in Washington state, the importance of STEM education grows every day. OSPI is one of many organizations in Washington, and nationwide, working to improve STEM literacy.
In Recommendations for STEM Education, a workgroup outlined what STEM education will do and why it is important:
House Bill 1872 (2013) established "a comprehensive initiative to increase learning opportunities and improve educational outcomes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through multiple strategies and statewide partnerships."
STEM literacy is the ability to identify, apply and integrate concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to understand complex problems and to innovate to solve them. STEM literacy is achieved when a student is able to apply his or her understanding of how the world works within and across the four interrelated STEM disciplines to improve the social, economic, and environmental conditions of their local and global community.
Scientific literacy is the ability to use knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth/space science to understand the natural world and to participate in decisions that affect it.
Technological literacy is the ability to use new technologies, understand how new technologies are developed, and have skills to analyze how new technologies affect us, our nation, and the world.
Engineering literacy is the ability to use the systematic and creative application of scientific and mathematic principles to practical ends, such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.
Mathematical literacy is the ability to analyze, reason, and communicate ideas effectively through posing, formulating, solving, and interpreting solutions to mathematical problems in a variety of situations.
Washington has various models of successful STEM implementation, and many of these efforts are driven by OSPI through our content areas:
We also make great efforts to connect and collaborate with statewide organizations:
STEM Lighthouse Schools originated in 2010 with the Legislature's passage of House Bill 2621. The bill directs OSPI to designate elementary, middle, and high schools each year as lighthouse schools.
OSPI awards grants through:
Photos courtesy of Washington STEM