WSAS Members discuss the ‘Science of STEM Learning’ with legislators in Olympia

In 2017, the Washington State Academy of Sciences co-organized a workshop to strengthen the legislature’s access to scientific expertise. One attendee — newly elected Representative Vandana Slatter, who has a background in biotechnology — was inspired to propose a bipartisan ScITech Caucus, which she launched with colleagues and has led ever since. WSAS has partnered with Senator Slatter’s office for the past two years to coordinate a caucus event during legislative session.

This year’s ScITech Caucus topic was “The Science of STEM Education.” On February 18, 2026, WSAS members Brian French (Regents Professor of Educational Psychology, WSU) and Philip Bell (Shauna C. Larson Endowed Chair Professor of Learning Sciences, UW) joined WSAS Executive Director Melanie Roberts in Olympia, alongside presenters from Washington STEM and the Pacific Science Center, for a lunch with the bipartisan, bicameral caucus co-chaired by Senators Slatter, Victoria Hunt, and Matt Boehnke, and Representative Alex Ybarra.

Presenters highlighted that 70% of Washington jobs require STEM literacy — and that many jobs students will hold in 2030 don’t yet exist — underscoring the need to prepare students to learn, adapt, and think critically. Key themes included the need to make STEM learning relevant to students’ lives and cultures, the role of belonging in student performance, and inquiry-based problem solving. Legislators engaged in lively discussion with presenters, noting that critical thinking is more important than ever given the rise of artificial intelligence.

WSAS is grateful to Senator Slatter for her leadership and looks forward to continuing this work with incoming caucus chair Senator Victoria Hunt, who holds a PhD in ecology, along with co-chair Representative Alex Ybarra, who has a math degree, and their colleagues.