STEM Lighthouse School
South Whidbey Elementary school's "Farm, Forest and Sea" programs provide opportunities for all students to engage in STEM based learning experiences that connect them with community partners, outdoor learning and stewardship opportunities. According to Susie Richards, SWES principal, "Our Farm, Forest and Sea programs not only support our students' engagement in their academic learning, but they also provide them with a connection with our natural environment. At a young age, students begin to see themselves as citizens and stewards of this beautiful place that we live."
We are sharing ITK - 8th grade curriculum, no cost professional development workshops and resources for teachers, administrators and community partners for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) centered Outdoor Learning Programs with this focus on farms, forest and the Salish Sea.
Click on Farm, Forest or Sea to access information about curriculum, events, field trips and media coverage.
For more information, contact Susie Richards, srichards@sw.wednet.edu. (360)321-4600.
Congratulations to Principal Richards and South Whidbey Elementary School (SWES) for being awarded a top honor as one of seven schools in the State of Washington by The Office of Superintendent of Public Education (OSPI) for 2024-2025 named as a STEM Lighthouse School. In addition to a $20,000 grant, SWES will serve as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) mentors to other schools in the state.
STEM Lighthouse schools will promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other elementary, middle and high schools that are creating their own STEM environments. South Whidbey's STEM nomination came from the OSPI Director of Environmental and Sustainability Education, Elizabeth Schmutz. She shared that "I nominated South Whidbey Elementary School as a STEM Lighthouse School because the school offers a strong place-based learning program rooted in community partnerships. The school’s garden education program is an outstanding model for integrating environmental and sustainability education with science and math, including all students, and improving student outcomes." South Whidbey Elementary school's "Farm, Forest and Sea" programs provide opportunities for all students to engage in STEM based learning experiences that connect them with community partners, outdoor learning and stewardship opportunities. According to Susie Richards, SWES principal "our Farm, Forest and Sea programs not only support our students' engagement in their academic learning, but provides them with a connection with our natural environment. At a young age, students begin to see themselves as citizens and stewards of this beautiful place that we live."
STEM Lighthouse schools originated in 2010 with the Legislature’s passage of state Rep. Tina Orwall's House Bill 2621 directing OSPI to designate schools that serve as an examples of:
Small, highly personalized learning communities.
An interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on STEM, delivered through a project-based instructional approach.
Active partnerships with businesses and the community to connect learning beyond the classroom.
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