The purpose of our collaboration is to inspire and equip future innovators with the skills and tools necessary to compete in a growing, global economy. Career opportunities in STEM fields are exploding, in fact, STEM occupations are projected to grow over two times faster than the total for all occupations over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Each initiative uniquely supports STEM skill development and education, making these subjects more accessible to students and ultimately building the capacity to solve the world’s future challenges through today’s learning.
Additional Opportunities
Posted below are current professional development opportunities for:
Math
Math Anywhere: Math Play Strategies at Your Own Pace!
Is “playful” the first word that comes to mind when you think of mathematics? Many of us experienced math as the opposite of playful, but in reality there is a vital connection between play and math learning. This series for educators will share Math Anywhere! strategies for inviting math thinking and talk into everyday situations and creating optimal conditions for mathematical play. We will have a little fun trying these ideas out ourselves and explore resources to share with others.
Sessions available:
- Math Anywhere! Invite Math Play into Every Day
- How Many? Noticing and Talking about Quantity
- Find Shapes: Exploring Geometry in our Landscapes
- Same or Different? Yes!
- Mathematizing Spaces: Making Our Schools Math-Curious Places
Course Information:
- Mode: Online Asynchronous through Canvas
- Dates: Courses are currently open and will be taken on your own time
- Clock Hours/Stars Hours: Earn 3 clock or STARS hours for each session
- Cost: Free!
More information and registration
Career Connected Learning
Restoration Ecology CTE Workshop – January 31, 2024, 3-6pm online
Are you a secondary teacher? Do you want to incorporate forest management or restoration ecology into your courses?
Natural resource job demand is increasing in Washington State. Join the Pacific Education Institute (PEI) and Washington Department of Natural Resources to learn about PEI’s exploratory and preparatory Forest Management and Restoration Ecology Career and Technical Education (CTE) frameworks. Each workshop will explore how these frameworks can build pathways for high school graduates to access entry level natural resource jobs. Participants will also hear from a CTE teacher that has experience with implementing these frameworks in the classroom.
Event Details:
- Wed, Jan 31st from 3-6pm: Restoration Ecology CTE Workshop (Zoom – registration link)
- Questions? Please reach out to Michelle Townshend at mtownshend@pacificeducationinstitute.org
Career and Technical Education Rural Network Professional Development Series
Look for Spring 2024 opportunities soon!
Computer Science
WINforCS Network & Meetings – 2023-24 Theme: Artificial Intelligence
WINforCS is the Washington Integration Network for Computer Science. We are a group of educators from across the state who come together three times a year to learn with each other.
Please mark your calendars for the following meeting dates:
Thursday, February 22, 4-6pm
Thursday, May 2, 4-6pm
Registration: https://www.pdenroller.org/esd123/catalog/event/163793
Learn to Teach Your Students Cybersecurity – Summer 2024
Cybersecurity is one of the most in demand career fields, but there are not enough cyber experts to meet the current or future need. Cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow by 31% by 2029 – nearly 8x the national average growth for all jobs! A career in cybersecurity will allow your students to make a difference in all aspects of life – from healthcare to the global economy, from e-commerce to national security.
Help prepare your students to fill those jobs by teaching cybersecurity in high school. Join us to learn how to teach your students the skills necessary to pursue one of the most promising career fields.
- 5-Week Online Class
- Dates: Starting June 10, 2024, in-person Summer Summit – July 14, 2024 – July 17, 2024
- Locations: Tacoma (WA), Fargo (ND), Idaho Falls (ID)
- Scholarships available
- More Information: Cybersecurity High School Innovations – Center for Cybersecurity Innovation (cityu.edu)
- Application for early registration by February 18: 2023-2024 The Cybersecurity High School Innovations (CHI) Application (office.com)
CS Endorsement Exam Prep Course for Washington – at your own pace!
CSTA+, WeTeach_CS, Shoreline Community College, and CSTA Puget Sound (PSCSTA) are pleased to announce a free, online, self-paced pilot course to help Washington teachers pass the WEST/NES Computer Science Endorsement Exam. The course is based on the WeTeach_CS Foundations of CS for Teachers: Praxis Prep course ($600 value) which has helped over 2000 teachers pass the endorsement exam in their states and adapted for the WEST/NES exam used for Washington. Course participants will also receive CSTA+ memberships ($50 value) to provide them with the resources, professional development, and professional learning community to support them throughout their careers.
The course will be most beneficial for high school teachers with concrete plans to teach a computer science course in the 2023-24 school year. At least 25-40 hours of experience coding with a text-based programming language is recommended before starting the course. While this programming experience is highly recommended, the actual course requires no programming.
This package includes: 1) a yearly CSTA+ membership ($50); 2) perpetual access to a version of the WeTeach_CS Foundations of Computer Science for Teachers ($600) course customized for Washington state; 3) Office hours (optional) twice a week and online support provided by PSCSTA and Shoreline CC; 4) 35 Washington state clock hours upon course completion.
-
- Start date: Teachers will take this online course and can set their own pace, will have perpetual access to course content, and will have six months to complete the course for Washington state clock hours.
- Application: Online CS Endorsement Exam Prep Course for Washington | CSTA Puget Sound (csteachers.org)
- Questions: Please contact csta.pugetsound@gmail.com
CSTA Professional Development Opportunities
If you are comfortable as a CS teacher please consider these additional professional development opportunities offered through the Computer Science Teachers Association: Professional Development Opportunities – Computer Science Teachers Association (csteachers.org).
Science
Look out for additional opportunities posted!
Posted below are current grant opportunities for:
Career Connected Learning/CTE Grants
Round 3: CCW Apprenticeship Building America Funding: Anticipated Opening April 1, 2024
The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), on behalf of Career Connect Washington (CCW), is conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CCW Apprenticeship Building America Program Builder Funding. We seek proposals from highly qualified entities capable of creating, expanding, or enhancing Registered Apprenticeship and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs in Washington’s high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.
Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) is a grant from the US Department of Labor to strengthen, modernize, expand, and diversify Registered Apprenticeship programs to enable more workers to earn while they learn and find reliable pathways to the middle class. The ABA grant program will help to further strengthen and modernize Washington’s nationally-recognized apprenticeship system. It will increase equity and accessibility for under-represented populations and bring the Registered Apprenticeship model to more employers in Washington’s high-demand industries. ESD shares the CCW vision that every young adult in Washington will have multiple pathways toward economic self-sufficiency and fulfillment, strengthened by a comprehensive statewide system for career connected learning. Apprenticeships have been the pathway to the middle class for generations of skilled workers in Washington – and ESD is proud to partner with CCW, the Department of Labor & Industries, the US Department of Labor, and Washington’s apprenticeship community on this Apprenticeship Building America grant.
ESD has made approximately $2,965,421.90 of federal Apprenticeship Building America funds available for this opportunity. ESD targets $100,000 – $150,000 per award. ESD expects performance periods will begin in Q3 2024 and end by Q2 2026.
Bids are due June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. The RFP can be accessed via the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) system beginning April 1, 2024 (RFP #2024-03). Bidders are responsible for downloading the solicitation document and all appendices and incorporated documents. Questions can be directed to Procurement Coordinators Jennifer Watson and Kiva Nguyen (esdgpbids@esd.wa.gov).
Career Connect Washington partners and stakeholders are encouraged to share this announcement broadly with any and all potential bidders.
Items of Note
- *Notice of Intent to Bid*
- A Notice of Intent to Bid is required. This is mandatory and due before the proposal The Notice of Intent to Bid is due April 30, and the Proposal is due June 28.
- *Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeships*
- The funding opportunity is only for Program Builders who will create, expand, and enhance Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs in Washington’s high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.
- The CCW ABA Program Builder RFP provides distinct funds tailored to the unique needs of Program Builders developing, expanding, and enhancing Registered Apprenticeships and Recognized Pre-apprenticeships. Successful bidders will receive bespoke technical assistance from ESD, the Department of Labor & Industries, and the US Department of Labor.
- This funding opportunity is aligned with CCW statewide sector strategies developed by our ten CCW Sector Leaders.
CCW ABA Program Builder Timeline & Activities:
- Bidders’ Conference: April 8, 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Notice of Intent to Bid Due: April 30, 2024 – 5:00 PM
- Proposals Due: June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM
- Anticipated Announcement of Successful Bidders: August 2024
Grant Information:
Eligible Applicants: Entities interested in performing the role of Program Builder and working with Regional Networks, Career Connected Learning Coordinators at the Educational Service Districts, Sector Leaders, labor, employers, and education partners to expand, strengthen, and modernize Washington’s nationally recognized apprenticeship system in high-demand and high-growth industry sectors.
Funding: $2,965 421.90 of federal Apprenticeship Building America funds are available. ESD targets $100,000 – $150,000 per award.
Period of Performance: Estimated at 18 months, September 2024 through March 2026.
Allowable Costs:
Funds to be used to design and qualify Registered Apprenticeship and Recognized Pre-apprenticeship programs for approval from Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. Funds may not be used for direct instruction, direct services, or wrap-around supports. Participants, as defined by USDOL, cannot be served with these funds.
Funding will support program development costs and may include employer incentives per USDOL restrictions.
Allowable budget categories may include the following, provided costs are attributable to contract activities:
- Staff Salaries
- Staff Benefits
- Costs for outreach to business and education partners;
- Travel directly related to program development;
- Supplies
- Contracts for curriculum development
- Employer incentives (conditions apply)
- Equipment (conditions apply)
*Career Connect Washington & Washington Employment Security Department Apprenticeship Building America efforts receive support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor Category 4 Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant.
CCNW Regional Network Assistance: The Career Connect NW Regional Network offers technical assistance to businesses, community organizations and educational partners in the application process. As you think about next steps and the possibility of applying, here are suggested next steps:
- Become familiar with the grant announcement
- Review the CCW Connected Learning Framework of Career Explore, Career Prep, and Career Launch
- Review the RFPs in the WEBS system (Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS)).
- Register for an information session provided by the CCNW Network – dates provided once grant RFPs are released.
STEM Grants
STEM related grants for School Districts/Schools through OSPI
There are grant opportunities found in iGrants, which is the website used by Washington State’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to offer grant opportunities. FP stands for Form Package, which is the way to identify the grant within the iGrants system. This is the list of Form Packages that are current posted. The majority of grants are available specifically for schools/school districts; please contact your school/district administrator if interested in applying for these funds.
Math Grants
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): Ongoing
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) maintains a significant list of available grants for mathematics teachers, educators, and coaches. See all the NCTM grants here: https://www.nctm.org/grants/
Career Connected Learning & STEM Initiatives
Career Connect NW Network
Creating pathways to careers with industry, education, and community partners.
Climate Science Education
Connecting science teachers and students with climate science.
Computer Science
Computer Science Support, Resources, and Professional Development
Math
Professional Services for Mathematics Education
STEM Networks
Connected with schools, businesses, and community partners
Science
Professional learning for science standards, assessment, alignment, and pedagogy.
Science Materials Center
Science materials aligned with Next Generation Science Standards
Additional Supports
Instructional Technology, Improvement Science, Data Support
Career Connected Learning & STEM News
ECHO Tour allows students to explore healthcare field
From dentistry to chiropractic health, students from around Snohomish [...]
ECHO Tour coming to Snohomish County
Over 600 students from 24 Snohomish County high schools [...]
Career Connect NW to spearhead CTE proviso as project manager
Career Connect NW, hosted at the Northwest Educational Service [...]
Building boats, building futures
Aspen Power Catamarans in Burlington and Career Connected Learning [...]