Sedro-Woolley STEM Network is Awarded a $30,000 Washington State STEM Grant to Fuel Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education

    SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WA, December 08, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Sedro-Woolley School District today announced it will receive a $30,000 grant from Washington STEM to create a plan to establish the Sedro-Woolley STEM Network. The planned STEM Network will work with Washington STEM to grow systems in which educators, employers, and community leaders work together to match education to STEM career opportunities in Sedro-Woolley. This is the first STEM Network in Skagit County and the only STEM Network north of Snohomish County.

"This STEM grant builds on our commitment to educational excellence and preparing our children for exciting careers in innovation," said Phil Brockman, Superintendent, Sedro-Woolley School District. "The STEM Network will facilitate the creation of a long-term focus on addressing the needs of the community when it comes to preparing future generations for economic success, and will create greater connections between our students and local industry."

The Sedro-Woolley STEM Network will provide resources and a collaborative environment for educators, administrators, and community based organizations. The initial focus of the Network will be the Sedro-Woolley School District that runs from the Snohomish County line on the south boundary, to the Whatcom County line on the north boundary of the District. The Network will partner the Sedro-Woolley School District with businesses, government, Community Based Organizations, and Skagit Valley College, which serve the entire Skagit County. The intent is to create a scalable program that other Skagit County School Districts can adopt or replicate.

"We chose Sedro-Woolley for this grant because of their strong track record working with education, community, and business partners," said Patrick D'Amelio, Washington STEM CEO. "We believe the Network 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."

Sedro-Woolley City Supervisor Eron Berg said that Washington STEM also recognized the community has been a leader in world-changing technology for more than a century. "With global companies such as the Skagit Corporation, Snelson, Rothenbuhler and Janicki Industries, Sedro-Woolley is home to the world's leaders in composites, remote detonation and other innovations," Berg noted. "Today, Sedro-Woolley is on the leading edge of sanitation technology, thanks to Janicki Bioenergy's OmniProcessor, which is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation."

The STEM announcement coincides with the redevelopment of the Northern State campus as a Center for Innovation and Technology in the Pacific Northwest. The Center's first tenant is expected to be Janicki Bioenergy. It is anticipated that more than 1,000 STEM jobs could be located at the Center within the next five years.

"We are excited to be a partner in Sedro-Woolley STEM Network because it supports technology companies and provides lasting opportunities for your youth," said John Janicki, President of Janicki Industries. "Thanks to our community's passion for innovation, excellence and education, the future of Sedro-Woolley has never been brighter."

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 www.washingtonstem.org.

About the Sedro-Woolley STEM Network
Thanks to our passion for innovation, excellence and education, Sedro-Woolley has been a leader in world-changing technology for more than a century. With global companies such as the Skagit Corporation, Snelson, Rothenbuhler and Janicki Industries, Sedro-Woolley is home to the world's leaders in composites, remote detonation and other innovations. Today, Sedro-Woolley is on the leading edge of sanitation technology, thanks to Janicki Bioenergy's OmniProcessor, which is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. And thanks to our commitment to educational excellence and preparing our children for exciting careers in innovation, the future of Sedro-Woolley is even brighter.

Mission
Our mission is to provide resources and a collaborative environment for educators, administrators, and community based organizations that better enable them to help the students of Sedro-Woolley acquire the knowledge and skills required to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Vision
All learners will acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences that will carry forward Sedro-Woolley's century long tradition of innovation, excellence, and hard work into the future.

MEDIA Contacts:
Wes Allen
Sedro-Woolley School District
360-855-3510, [email protected]
http://www.washingtonstem.org/Our-Approach/STEM-Networks/Sedro-Woolley-STEM-Network#.VmXzrbiDGko

Ken Saunderson
Saunderson Marketing Group
[email protected]
(206) 282-6858

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