Regional Oregon STEM Education Initiative Meetings Summary

Regional Oregon STEM Education Initiative Meetings Summary

Regional Oregon STEM Education Initiative Meetings Summary

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) STEM Team Members conducted meetings and held phone conferences with areas of the state where current STEM activities had been documented through existing grant programs including the Title IIB Math and Science Partnerships (MSP), Title IID: 21st Century Technology –Rich Learning and Teaching, Title IV B 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE). Representatives from K-12, higher education, community colleges, business, informal education organizations, and local communities were invited to attend a meeting with the ODE to discuss Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for students in the local region. Our purpose was to inventory current activities, discuss workplace needs and to share the DRAFT Oregon STEM Education Initiative in order to solicit feedback. The regions visited included:

  • Southern Oregon
  • Lincoln County
  • Central Oregon
  • Lane County
  • Klamath County (Phone conference with OIT)
  • Eastern Oregon (Phone conference with Wallowa ESD and Eastern Oregon University)

Note: Portland Metro Area was not a specific visit, however, the ODE STEM Team has been a collaborating partner throughout the Portland Metro STEM Center planning process.

Current Regional Partnerships

Established partnerships between K-12, higher education, community colleges, business and local communities for providing STEM learning opportunities are in various stages. Partnerships described in each of the regions include (but are not limited to):

  • K-12 schools in Southern Oregon, Southern Oregon University (SOU), Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT), Rogue Community College (RCC), Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD), Bureau of Land Management, the Asante Health System, the Science Learning Center at Crater Lake, Hands-On-Science Museum, and local businesses
  • Lincoln County School District has a long standing partnership with Oregon State University (OSU), Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and now the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • Lane County schools, Lane Education Service District (LESD), University of Oregon (UO),
  • Central Oregon schools, High Desert Education Service District (HDESD), OSU, Central Oregon Community College, and the High Desert Museum
  • Klamath County schools, OIT, US Forest Service, Crater Lake National Park, NASA
  • Eastern Oregon schools, Wallowa Education Service District (WESD), Eastern Oregon University
  • Portland Metro schools, Intel, JPMorganChase, Oregon Health & Science University, McKinstry, Vernier and many other organizations.
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