There have been some exciting changes happening at the Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD)  to further help students, teachers, higher education, and businesses come together on behalf of creating STEM career opportunities for graduates from across our region! 

STEM is an acronym that combines Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Understanding how these areas of specialization connect fuels local job creation across every industry – tech, aerospace, manufacturing, clean energy, health and life sciences, agriculture and food manufacturing, construction, and retail. STEM education opens doors for every student to succeed, allowing all our students to DREAM BIG!

Why is STEM important?

  • By combining information and insight focused on future job projections, wage ranges, and other labor-related statistics at the regional level, Washington students can learn what careers are available to them, and what education is needed to achieve their goals.
  • Graduates have many decisions to make, and many questions that need an informed answer. Which jobs pay living and family-sustaining wages? Which credentials will help ensure they are competitive for those jobs?
  • Seventy to eighty percent of students look for education and career opportunities within 50 miles of where they attended high school. So it’s great news that there are family-wage jobs and careers all around us! The majority of these jobs will require a credential beyond a high school diploma, making it even more important to figure out ways to connect the pathways from Kindergarten to true engagement in a career of choice.

For many years, there has been really important work happening in this field for students throughout Northwest Washington. Partnerships have been developing across Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish Counties, through a variety of connected groups of interested parties. School districts, local businesses, and higher education entities all had a place at the table. While meaningful conversations and some formalized connections began to form, there has continued to be a need to organize resources, to establish a backbone and framework to clarify how the puzzle could come together. A shared vision is becoming clearer, the momentum growing.

Recently, the NWESD formally stepped into the Regional Coordinator role to increase the collective reach even further, serving as a ‘hub’ where ideas, entities, and innovation can be fostered. To grow capacity, new partnerships continue to develop from the groundwork already laid.

The NWESD now has the privilege to serve as a key catalyst in bringing STEM education to all NW Washington students, with special attention paid to those who have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields, such as students of color, girls and young women, students living in poverty, and students living in rural areas.

Examples of groups coming together include NW Washington STEM, Snohomish County STEM, Skagit STEM, Whatcom County STEM, Career Connect WA, Career Connected Learning, as well as business leaders, community college and university leaders, and leaders throughout public education. Together, they are an active part of Washington STEM’s even broader Network of partners who harness and employ STEM education best practices throughout communities. 

The STEM Networks are a game-changer. The collective of programs and partnerships help ensure the vitality of our families, community, and the region’s economy. Ultimately, we strive to be a part of creating a thriving NW Washington with a terrific quality of life – an amazing place to live, work and play!

The NWESD is passionate about helping every student succeed in the 21st Century. Along with our partner networks, our drive is to serve as a model for innovative thinking and action.