Community Partner Collaboration   

Taking Learning Outside Workshop Series Inspires Collaboration and Confidence

Kim Stenbak’s 4th-graders had a burning question, one they brought up at regular intervals during class at Union Ridge Elementary School.
 
“Has the principal said yes yet?” 
 
The class had collected data from both teachers and students about the impacts of outdoor learning, in an attempt to convince the administration that getting outside was beneficial. “They had such buy-in that they knew they wanted to make a change,” says Stenbak. “They had experienced the outdoor activities and they knew that other kids should have that experience too.” 
 
Such systemic integration of outdoor, place-based learning is exactly what Stacy Meyer hoped would result from the workshop series Taking Learning Outside. Meyer is the Regional Science Coordinator for ESD 112. Over seven months, regional educators were invited to attend workshops on elementary school gardens, High Impact Field Experiences (HIFEs), authentic engagement in outdoor learning, and outdoor learning for middle and high school students. PEI’s Lower Columbia FieldSTEM Coordinator Emily Newman facilitated several workshops and joined partners Lower Columbia School Gardens and Lower Columbia Nature Network and others. Educators could choose which workshops best suited their interests and schedules. 

 
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Natural Resources & Tribal History

Nisqually Tribe Hosts Fisheries and Treaty Rights History and Co-Management Workshop

Stephanie Holubowsky is a fan of salmon dinners, but until recently, she hadn’t considered where it came from or the historic and cultural issues around it. “I never gave much thought to how it ended up on my plate and the struggles people went through with being able to fish and getting thrown in jail for even trying to fish,” she says. “Today has opened my eyes to have a better understanding.” 
 
Holubowsky is an Online Academy Teacher for grades 7-12 in the Puyallup School District and was one of 25 teachers who attended PEI’s Honoring the Waters: Tribal Sovereignty, Salmon Recovery, and Co-Management workshop at Nisqually Red Wind Casino on August 12th. The focus was to provide resources and training for educators to integrate local Indigenous and state histories of treaties, salmon fishery co-management and tribal sovereignty into their curriculum. Additionally, teachers learned about fish hatchery management and green careers related to aquaculture and fisheries. The Nisqually Tribe funded the workshop through a grant to PEI. 

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Agriculture & Natural Resources  

PEI Named Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector Lead

Back in 2019, Cheryl Fambles explained why it made sense for Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council (PacMtn) to support and fund PEI. “They are an important intermediary,” she said. “PEI is a translator and an advocate in that space between industry and employer and the schools. They have credibility in that space.” Fambles was Executive Director of PacMtn at the time, so she was in a position to know.

Recently, that credibility led to PEI becoming the Career Connect Washington’s (CCW) Sector Lead for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sector leaders scale career-connected learning in high-priority industry sectors. PEI will be working with other sector leaders and regional networks to identify workforce and training needs that inform program development. PEI is building upon work completed by the previous ANR sector lead at Walla Walla’s ANR Center for Excellence.

Professional Learning for Teachers

Say Hello to PEI’s New Learning Portal

We’re excited to launch our brand-new PEI Learning Portal! This self-paced, asynchronous platform is designed to keep high-quality professional learning accessible to educators across Washington.
 
Explore old favorites like "Introduction to FieldSTEM" and "Introduction to Climate Education",
Dive into new content with the Explore the Salish Sea curriculum course,
And earn STEM clock hours at your own pace!
 
Even with drastic state funding cuts, we’re committed to supporting educators statewide. That’s why we’ve added a “pay it forward” option: when you enroll, you can choose to increase access to these valuable courses with financial support!
 
Register Here 

Tools & Tips for Teachers

3rd Grade: Fall Leaf Color Change

These lessons are specific to the fall season as students will explore the phenomenon of the changing colors of leaves. Through observations, readings, and videos, students will be able to explain why some leaves change color in the fall and some do not, and which environmental factors cause the change in leaf color. Students will use evidence collected by investigating the various pigments in leaves to support their explanation. An optional investigation is included in which students can submit leaf color and leaf drop data to www.budburst.org.

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Upcoming Events 

  With Gratitude

Thank you August donors and funders!