STEM Education in Washington State: The Facts of the Matter

Following the lead of the National Academies’ 2010 report to the nation, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5 (RAGS, Revisited), the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) used its 2011 annual meeting symposium to (1) document the reality of the current state of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education in Washington State, (2) showcase the latest research on teaching math and science and (3) set a course for the WSAS to partner in effecting change at both the grass roots and policy levels. The 125 people attending the symposium included eleven elementary-through-high school teachers and principals; eleven 8th to 12th grade students; five directors of science and engineering fairs; representatives from Washington STEM, the Pacific Science Center and other organizations; speakers; WSAS members; and guests.