Jumpstarting Elementary STEM

In Washington State, our Science Learning Standards are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Standards.  But our NCESD districts need updated curriculum and support to match the STEM needs of their students.  The NCESD STEM Materials Center helps districts save money by creating a system of sharing science kits, but they have had many of the same units for over 14 years.

We have a great need for new STEM kits!

  • 78% of U.S. high school graduates don’t meet benchmark readiness for one or more college courses in mathematics, science, reading, or English.
  • STEM-related jobs grew at three times the rate of non-STEM jobs between 2000 and 2010. By 2018, it is projected that 2.4 million STEM jobs will go unfilled.
  • STEM jobs have doubled as a proportion of all jobs since the industrial revolution.

Access to effective STEM education is crucial to our students’ future success!

Smithsonian LASER Modules

To best prepare our students for the workforce of the future, the NCESD has selected the new Smithsonian LASER modules. A five year study demonstrated the LASER model’s efficacy in systemically transforming science education. Learn more about the method in this video:

  • A five year study demonstrated the LASER model’s efficacy in systemically transforming science education. For more details click here.
  • Each unit is about $1500, however with the STEM Materials Cooperative, $3000 covers the cost for all 4 units for 1 teacher because we rotate the units between three classrooms.
  • These new materials are projected to last at least seven years or more.

How You Can Help

These kits are available at all grade levels 1/5, and to every school in the ESD district, but there is a cost for a district to participate. Businesses and individuals can introduce these important STEM materials into classrooms by underwriting the cost of getting these kits into the districts.

This is a chance for the community to support STEM education in a tangible way!  Choose from one of the many levels of support below.

Student Level – $20

  • For $20, you can support STEM education for one student in the NCESD region.
  • In return, your name and support level will be on our website.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Module Level – $1,500

  • For $1500, you can support one STEM education module.
  • In return, your support level will be indicated on our website and the module materials will have your company or family name on the tote. This one module will travel to three classrooms in the region.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Teacher Module Level – $2,500

  • For $2500, you can support one STEM education module plus a teacher guide.
  • In return, your support level will be indicated on our website and the module materials will have your company or family name on the tote. This one module will travel to three classrooms in the region.
  • The three teachers will also receive their teacher’s guides with your company or family name on the cover.
  • This option is great if you want to support a specific elementary school.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Complete Teacher Module Level – $10,000

  • For $10,000, you can support all four strands of the STEM education modules (Life, Physical, Earth and Engineering).
  • In return, your support level will be indicated on our website and the module materials will have your company or family name on the totes. These four modules will travel to three classrooms in the region.
  • A parent letter will go home with the students, sharing your generous support of STEM education.
  • The three teachers will also receive their teacher’s guides with your company or family name on the cover.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Complete Grade Level Support – $100,000

  • For $100,000, you can support all four strands of the STEM education modules (Life, Physical, Earth and Engineering) at an entire grade level.
  • In return, your support level will be indicated on our website and the module materials will have your company or family name on the totes. These four modules will travel to all the classrooms in the region at that grade level.
  • The teachers will also receive their teacher’s guides with your company or family name on the cover.
  • A parent letter will go home with the students, sharing your generous support of STEM education.
  • Your contribution will be shared at an honors luncheon and through a media release.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Complete STEM Education Support for Grades 1-5 – $500,000

  • For $500,000, you can support all four strands of the STEM education modules (Life, Physical, Earth and Engineering) at all grade levels, 1st-5th.
  • In return, your support level will be indicated on our website and the module materials will have your company or family name on the totes. These modules will travel to all the classrooms in the region.
  • A parent letter will go home with the students, sharing your generous support of STEM education.
  • The teachers will also receive their teacher’s guides with your company or family name on the cover.
  • A parent letter will go home with the students, sharing your generous support of STEM education.
  • Your contribution will be shared at an honors luncheon and through a media release.

To sponsor at this level click here.

Click here to support STEM education by completing a Google form

On behalf our students, thank you so much for your support!