Spring Into STEM

Can you Feel the Billy Magic?

Honoring Billy Frank Jr. on his Birthday

Billy Frank, Jr. dedicated his life to protecting salmon and restoring justice to the Nisqually Tribe. His birthday, March 9, gives us an opportunity to learn about this fishing rights warrior and long-time chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, while experiencing a little bit of “Billy Magic”.
Because of his life-long advocacy of Indigenous rights and land stewardship, his birthday is one of 12 days a year when a Discover Pass is not required on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. According to Mr. Frank’s son, Nisqually Chairman Willie Frank III, this gives people an opportunity to be outside and give back to the earth. “He would want us to be out replanting trees or cleaning up the riverbanks. This is a day for the state of Washington to feel a little bit of Billy Magic.”
Many tribal offices are closed on Mr. Frank’s birthday, and he is recognized throughout Washington on city websites, through public observance, and with volunteer opportunities.
What can schools and teachers do to recognize this hero who helped to shape Washington’s environmental laws and expand treaty rights for Native Americans nationwide? We encourage educators to share Billy Frank Jr’s messages by learning more about his life and work. Share these books and films with your students, and then be sure to spend some time outside!

FieldSTEM in Action

School Leaders Inspired by Real-World Examples at PEI’s Leadership Workshops

PEI’s FieldSTEM model is designed to align across grade bands and integrate across subject areas, so having school leaders involved is critical. In February, 20 administrators and superintendents from around Washington attended one of two online Leadership Institutes and came away inspired by the possibilities ahead.

Washington State Conservation Commission and PEI Share Complementary Statewide Goals

The Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) and PEI have something in common. Both are statewide organizations with regional impacts, but it is their complementary goals that make the partnership so effective, according to Director of Policy and Inter-governmental Relations Ron Schultz.

Call to Action

Mark your calendars for Kitsap Great Give – April 19th

Help celebrate Kitsap Great Give April 19th with a donation to Pacific Education Institute. Your donation will help us continue to bring equitable scientific and civic literacy to students in Washington. If you live in Kitsap County, your donation will go further – Kitsap Community Foundation will match a percentage of all donations! That means your dollars are multiplied. So, for the price of your monthly subscription services, you can bring quality education to students in your city. The progress toward our vision of promoting civic and scientific literacy by empowering people to make balanced, well-informed decisions for just and sustainable communities wouldn’t be possible without you and your continued support. Early giving starts April 1^st.

DONATE

Upcoming Events

Date	Workshop	Location (online)
Mar 16, 29	FieldSTEM: Designing High Impact Field Experiences	Statewide
Mar 18	FieldSTEM: Field Experiences for Cherry Valley Elem	Riverview SD
Mar 25	FieldSTEM: Field Experiences	Riverview SD
Mar 30 & Apr 20	Journaling the Fire Environment	Methow Valley SD
April 5	FieldSTEM: K-3 Schoolyard Investigations	Puyallup SD
April 12, 26	FieldSTEM: Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills	Statewide
April 13, 16	Project WILD and I-90 Wildlife Corridor	Central WA*
April 16	FieldSTEM and Project WILD ($20 registration fee)	East Sound South*
April 23	FieldSTEM: Math Performance Tasks	Statewide*

*Registration will open to public at a later date. Visit our c alendar for more information.

With Gratitude

Thank you to our recent donors and funders

Julie Fry
Eric Barkman
Kevin and Denise Buck
Community Foundation
of South Puget Sound
Manulife Investments
Kitsap Community Foundation
Paul and Gail Kramer
Chuck Lennox
Chad Mullen
Patricia Otto
Lisa Perry
Washington State SFI Committee