Photos from South Whidbey School District’s post
https://www.facebook.com/921959416612385/posts/959503252858001
The South Whidbey School District posted this to its Facebook page on .
Congratulations to Principal Susie Richards and the South Whidbey Elementary School for being named a 2024-2025 STEM Lighthouse school by the Office of Superintendent of Public Education (OSPI). SWES is one of seven schools in the state of Washington being awarded this top honor.
STEM Lighthouse schools promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other elementary, middle and high schools that are creating their own STEM environments. South Whidbey’s STEM nomination came from the OSPI Director of Environmental and Sustainability Education, Elizabeth Schmutz. She shared that “I nominated South Whidbey Elementary School as a STEM Lighthouse School because the school offers a strong place-based learning program rooted in community partnerships. The school’s garden education program is an outstanding model for integrating environmental and sustainability education with science and math, including all students, and improving student outcomes.” South Whidbey Elementary school’s “Farm, Forest and Sea” programs provide opportunities for all students to engage in STEM based learning experiences that connect them with community partners, outdoor learning and stewardship opportunities. According to Susie Richards, SWES principal “our Farm, Forest and Sea programs not only support our students’ engagement in their academic learning, but provides them with a connection with our natural environment. At a young age, students begin to see themselves as citizens and stewards of this beautiful place that we live.”
STEM Lighthouse schools originated in 2010 with the Legislature’s passage of state Rep. Tina Orwall’s House Bill 2621 directing OSPI to designate schools that serve as an examples of:
– Small, highly personalized learning communities.
– An interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on STEM, delivered through a project-based instructional approach.
– Active partnerships with businesses and the community to connect learning beyond the classroom.
Great job Orcas!
