Inspiration with a Side of Humor: PEI’s FieldSTEM Celebration* (correct version)

FieldSTEM

Inspiration with a Side of Humor: PEI’s FieldSTEM Celebration 2023

FieldSTEM Teacher of the Year Jordan Duncan opened his acceptance speech at the 2023 FieldSTEM Celebration by reeling off a formidable set of credentials and awards. “If you think that’s an impressive resume, you’re right,” he told the amused crowd. “But it’s not mine; it’s my wife’s.”

Like his wife Cori Jo, Duncan is a teacher at Orin C. Smith Elementary School in Chehalis. He is also a wildland firefighter and his students have had several unusual experiences as a result. “Apparently you’re supposed to check before you land a helicopter on school grounds,” he noted.

Culinary Class Puts Climate Change on the Menu

When you think of a culinary class, you might imagine students discovering the proper way to chop onions. Which students in Tess Koning’s class do – along with learning the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in different phases of food production and distribution and how food waste contributes to climate change.

Koning is a Technology Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for Bethel School District. Her culinary class at Steilacoom High School goes beyond food preparation to explore the inherent wastefulness of the corporate food production cycle. This year, she also began incorporating PEI’s Food Waste storyline into her curriculum. The class is part of Pierce County Skills Center’s summer school program.

Read More

Special Event

Thank You Sponsors!

Huge thanks to PEI’s 2023 FieldSTEM Celebration sponsors: First Citizens Bank, Lisa Perry, Little Creek Casino Resort, Port Blakely and Puget Sound Energy.

Welcome New Staff

Two New Regional Coordinators Join PEI’s Team

Amber Yeager became Pacific Education Institute’s Central Washington FieldSTEM Coordinator in 2023 to connect our partners in Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, eastern Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties to community-based science outdoors. She is supported by her previous work as a public elementary school educator, and volunteer coordinator.

Amber is a coal miner’s daughter who spent her childhood playing outdoors. This embedded in her the belief that “opportunities to interact with the natural world help us see the interconnectedness of all life and motivates us to take care of the land and all its inhabitants.” This belief is displayed in her recent work with horses and underserved populations at a non-profit therapeutic riding center.

Originally from rural West Virginia, Amber resides in Ellensburg where she enjoys adventuring with her two dogs, hiking, horsemanship, practicing yoga, and spending time with her two daughters.

Lydia Geschiere became Pacific Education Institute’s East Sound North FieldSTEM Coordinator in 2023 to connect our partners in King and Snohomish counties to community-based science outdoors. She believes that “when students feel connected to our more-than-human communities, they take action that is informed and aligned with the pursuit of justice.”

Lydia’s work with PEI is supported by a Master’s degree in education from the University of Washington, and ten years of experience in place-based environmental education. She taught marine ecology prior to graduate school, and her recent teaching work focuses on developing learners’ capacity to connect with and within the outdoor world and be leaders in the environmental and climate justice movements.

Originally from the Midwest, Lydia resides in Seattle where she enjoys exploring on her bicycle, drinking coffee with friends, and listening to live music.

Tools & Tips for Teachers

Celebrate Bat Week! Resources for Teachers

Okay, we are admittedly a bit late here but . . . Bat Week is Oct 24-Oct 31! Use this annual celebration timed with Halloween to teach kids about the important role bats play in nature. Visit the Project Learning Tree website for ideas and information on how to make your curriculum more, well, batty!

Source: Project Learning Tree

Read More

Upcoming Events

Date	Workshop	Location
November 2 and 16th	Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills (FOOS)	Statewide
November 4	Explore the Salish Sea: Water Education for Transforming Students	East Sound South
December 12	Introduction to FieldSTEM for Leadership	Statewide
January 25 & 26	Environmental & Sustainability Literacy Student Summit	Statewide

Visit our c alendar  for more information.

With Gratitude

Thank you to October's donors and funders!

Bill Monahan
Bloedel Timberlands Development
Fruit Growers Supply Company
Gail Kramer
Gareth Waugh
Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation
Hampton Lumber
Heather Spalding
Jennifer Huntley
John Ison
Katie Hatam
Kathryn Kurtz
Margaret Tudor
Manulife Investment Management
Mary Birchem
Mike Spilde
OSPI
Puget Sound Energy
Richard Shoemaker
Greg & Shelley Barker
South Puget Sound Community College
Squaxin Island Gaming Enterprises
The McGregor Company
Tim Garchow
Washington Forest Protection Association
West Rock

Donate to PEI