STATE POLICy Issues

Washington

As home to Microsoft, Boeing, Nintendo and other major multinational businesses, this state needs highly skilled worked with proficiencies in science, math, technology and engineering. How has Washington kept pace with innovative practice in science education and created an entire state focused on inquiry?

 Landscape

The Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) is a partnership program that started in 1999 with the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, Pacific Science Center and Educational Service Districts and lead school districts from across Washington State.

Over the past decade Washington LASER has taken a regional k-8 instructional program in science and expanded from Pre-k though to college. Through innovative partnerships, research and the regular and sustained involvement in legislative representatives and representatives from the business sector, Washington LASER has used a multi-stakeholder approach for inspiring, connecting and advocating for STEM course work and relevant application of that course work across the state.

Watch a video about the LASER program.

Activities

HOSP will continue to support the great work of Washington LASER and its other stakeholders across the state through regular updates on relevant issues to their work, and as an external advocacy group that supports the transformation happening in teacher’s classrooms. As different issues arise, HOSP will respond at the direction and invitation from colleagues at the Pacific Science Center, Batelle Corporation, universities and school districts across the state.

HOSP is always looking for ways to support the great work in STEM across the U.S. Do you have a story you want to tell, an organization or idea that is doing good work or legislation that you would like some advocacy help with? We want to help!
Please email us at info@handsonsciencepartnership.com