Vancouver — Vancouver iTech Prep has been named one of six Washington schools to serve as science, technology, engineering and math mentors to other schools in the state.
Known as STEM Lighthouse Schools, each of the six were awarded $20,000 grants to promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other schools that are creating their own STEM environments.
The other schools recognized are Farms Elementary, East Valley School District, Spokane County; Martin Sortun Elementary, Kent; Saghalie Middle School, Federal Way; Spokane Valley Tech, Central Valley, Spokane County; and Weyerhaeuser Elementary, Eatonville.
STEM Lighthouse Schools originated in 2010 with the Legislature’s passage of House Bill 2621. The bill directs the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to designate lighthouse schools that will “serve as resources and examples of how to combine the following best practices: small, highly personalized learning communities; an interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics delivered through a project-based instructional approach; and active learning partnerships with businesses and the community to connect learning beyond the classroom.
