WA State K-12 Education Resources

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Amgen Foundation -- The Amgen Foundation (Amgen acquired Immunex Corporation in 2002) is focused on building "Stronger Science Teaching, Greater Science Literacy." Funding priorities involve projects directed at helping teachers to teach science more effectively, raising the community's understanding of the value of science literacy, improving access to resources for teachers and their students and measuring achievement of students in science education.

BioQuest -- BioQuest science education program, supported by the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, strives to inspire and build a community that promotes science and global health. BioQuest offers hands-on, socially relevant and career-building experiences for high school students, teachers and the public.

Burke Museum -- The Burke Museum is Washington State's museum of natural history and anthropology. Exhibits and programs focus on the natural and cultural history of the state.

Equipment Loan Program -- The Equipment Loan Program, provided by the Science Mathematics Engineering Education Center at WSU with the support of grants from Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program, the United States Department of Education, and Boeing Corperation, has a significant inventory of equipment commonly used for basic and enhanced experimentation in the high school biology laboratory in the state of Washington. There is no charge to the school for using the equipment, and the equipment is available throughout the year on a first come, first serve basis.

Forum on Science Ethics & Policy (FOSEP) -- FOSEP is a multidisciplinary, nonpartisan organization initiated by graduate students from the University of Washington in Seattle. FOSEP's mission is to foster discussion about the role of science in our society, and to build a network of individuals interested in science ethics and policy in the Seattle area.

Genetics Education Partnership (GEP) -- The GEP is a learning community of kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, scientists, and genetics professionals from throughout Washington state who are committed to genetics teaching. The GEP site includes a genetics education guide that can be downloaded, reviews of genetics instructional materials, classroom activities and more.

Intel in Your Community - Washington -- Intel Washington supports K-12 education primarily in Pierce and Thurston counties through funding for science, math and pre-engineering programs, particularly those programs targeting women and under-represented populations. They also provide computer equipment grants to public schools through the Technology for Schools Program and encourage employee volunteer support of education with the Intel Volunteer Matching Grants Program. Intel also supports the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science competition.

KCTS Public TV -- KCTS is an active member of the Public Broadcasting System which serves 2 million teachers and 30 million students in three-quarters of the nation's schools. Through an ongoing partnership with teachers, parents and students across Washington State and British Columbia, KCTS can support the goals of lifelong learning by providing programs and education services that inform and inspire people of all ages, from preschoolers to adults.

Making Connections Making Choices -- A neuroscience focused educational partnership designed to facilitate communication among educators, scientists and community stakeholders, and to develop and implement exciting, engaging learning experiences for students, teachers and the general public. The program targets Washington middle schools, with an emphasis on groups that are under-represented in science.

• Brain Power -- Brain Power is a mobile science education component created by Pacific Science Center and Group Health Cooperative which will visit middle schools and other community settings.

• Making Connections -- Making Connections is an intensive two-week program summer institute with follow-up activities designed to enhance knowledge in science for educators of grades 5-10 and to promote partnerships among educators research scientists and resource people.

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement -- MESA is a program designed to increase the numbers of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and women students in mathematics, engineering, and science careers.

Museum of History and Industry -- The Museum of History and Industry, located in Seattle, has a wide range of exhibits, programs, photos and a learning lab online.

Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) -- NWABR is a non-profit educational consortium created to foster understanding of the benefits of biomedical research to both humans and animals, and the necessity for the humane use of animals in such research.

Northwest Regional Educational Library (NWREL) --NWREL is part of a national network of ten educational laboratories that focuses on educational needs in the region by conducting research and development and providing training and technical assistance through events, including conferences, workshops, and onsite activities. NWREL's primary service area is the Northwestern states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Washington -- Learn about the Commission on Student Learning, Goals 2000, Washington State Board of Education, the Washington Education Network, curricular resources and much more.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) --PNNL offers elementary, middle school and high school programs for science teachers, including curricula materials, teacher training programs and other science related resources. The PNNL, located in Richland, Washington, is a division of Battelle Memorial Institute, the worlds largest independent research and development organization.

Pacific Science Center -- The Pacific Science Center, located in Seattle, is an independent, not-for-profit educational foundation dedicated to increasing the public's understanding and appreciation of science, mathematics and technology through interactive exhibits and programs.

Science Education Partnership (SEP) -- An excellent education program by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle that promotes ongoing interaction and communication between the biotechnology and medical technology research and education communities through partnerships with mentor scientists and teachers, plus training workshops and seminars.

Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center (WWU) -- A state-of-the-art resource center for educators, located at Western Washington University in Bellingham. The Center offers computer interface capability, video presentation rooms, and a gymnasium-sized Learning Resource Center outfitted with the latest technology.

Science Olympiad -- Access the Washington State Science Olympiad. The Science Olympiad tournament consists of 32 events encompassing the entire spectrum of science disciplines. Included are biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, technology, and engineering.

Science on Tap -- Science on Tap is a place where anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed atmosphere.

Seattle Public Schools -- Access Seattle public school information published by the Seattle School District.

Seattle Public Library -- A great online community resource offering something for everyone.

Seattle School Guide -- A comprehensive guide to public and private K-12 schools in the greater Seattle area. Published by the Seattle Times.

Social Venture Partners (SVP) -- SVP is a diverse group of concerned citizens, primarily from Seattle-area technology industries, whose common vision is applying the principles of venture capital in giving to non-profits in the Puget Sound region.  SVP focuses on long-term partnerships with grantees, seeks to identify measurable outcomes, looks for points of leverage and expansion in the grants it makes, and most importantly, invests the time and expertise of its Partners in true partnerships with its grantees. SVP giving priorities target children's and educational issues.

Student Biotech Expo -- The Student Biotech Expo is a unique science fair that engages high school students in creative ways to demonstrate their understanding of biotechnology and biomedicine, and supports their access to resources in the scientific community. This event draws together high school students from Seattle-area biology, biotechnology and molecular biology classes and allows them to present their work to each other and to the public. The Expo promotes science literacy and allows students to showcase work that reflects different aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine.

University of Washington

Community Outreach, Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health (CEEH) -- The CEEH Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP) seeks to improve public understanding of the ways that special susceptibilities (e.g. genetic) and environmental factors interact to produce disease.

Engineered Biomaterials -- Educational resources for middle- and high school teachers and students provided by the UW Engineered Biomaterials, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, including, summer institutes for teachers and hand-on lab experience for students.

The GENETICS Project -- The GENETICS Project fosters excellence in the teaching of genetics in the state of Washington from Kindergarten through 12th grade by providing professional development for elementary, middle, and high school teachers and by working to identify and develop outstanding genetics instructional materials.

High School Human Genome Project -- The High School Human Genome Program allows high school students to sequence DNA in their classrooms and to contribute their data to the Human Genome Project.

K-12 Institute for Science and Mathematics Education -- The Institute promotes partnerships that link the university community with the K-12 community.

Physics Education Group -- The Physics Department at the University of Washington conducts a coordinated program of research, curriculum development, and instruction.

Resource Guide for K-12 Educators -- The University of Washington Resource Guide for K-12 Educators provides information about a wide variety of educational opportunities offered by the UW. It describes continuing professional education programs for K-12 teachers and curriculum resources to enhance K-12 learning.

The StarNet Teacher Research Experience -- The StarNet project enables high school teachers and their students to participate in authentic research projects focused on unraveling the biology of drug abuse. The goal is met through two program components, the student DNA sequencing project and research experiences for teachers.

Washington BioHistory -- Learn about significant milestones in the historical development of Washington State's biotechnology & medical technology industry.

Washington Biotechnology Foundation (WBF) -- The WBF is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing the understanding of biotechnology through education. The WBF brings together organizations, companies, academic institutions and individuals to foster education, and partnerships in the field of biotechnology. WBF donors have helped support a number of important educational resources and programs in recent years allowing the WBF to provide up-to-date information resources and programs to support the growing industry in Washington state. Recent programs include: Student Biotech Expo, Washington State Teachers Association Biotechnology Workshops; Biotechnology Teaching Strand at the annual Washington and National Science Teachers Association meetings; and the Quality Education for Science and Technology (QuEST) network.

Washington School Information Processing Cooperative -- The goal of this site is to provide a clearinghouse of information for the K-12 education community in Washington State, with an emphasis on technology, including curriculum projects, grants, discussion groups and network support.

Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA) -- The WSTA is an organization dedicated to advocating and promoting quality science education at all levels of instruction.

Washington State Parent Teachers Association -- The Washington State PTA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, statewide membership association whose purpose is to provide service to the local PTA units and PTA councils which it has chartered, giving them the tools and training needed to become advocates for children.

WOIS/The Career Information System -- WOIS/The Career Information System is a private, nonprofit organization that researches and distributes information about Washington careers, schools and training programs to schools, career counselors, libraries and other agencies.