For immediate release
April 20, 2022
Media contact:
Alyssa Jackson | Manager, Snohomish STEM Network | alyssaj@snohomishstem.org | 425.248.4228
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Spring Into STEM: Early Learning 3-day Series
Snohomish STEM Network and Snohomish County Education Partners presented interactive STEM activities to early learners (children ages 3-8 years old) in a hybrid format over three-days from April 5-7, 2022. For one-hour each day, education partners facilitated engaging activities for children and their caregivers to follow along at home or participate in-person at a Watch Party with their local community organization. Watch Parties viewed the live virtual presentations with staff in-person to support children as they followed along with virtual hands-on activities.
STEM activities teach problem-solving skills, instill creativity, and give students the edge they need to flourish in growing career fields. The goal of the Spring into STEM series is to connect with children early in their education to develop STEM literacy and spark an interest in STEM.
This year, Spring into STEM took place during the week of spring break for most Snohomish County students, however, Mukilteo School District was in class that week. Their schedule allowed 20 Mukilteo classrooms ranging from ECEAP through 2nd grade to host their own Watch Parties, engaging over 500 students at their locations alone. Imagine Children’s Museum also hosted a free public watch party closing out the series on Thursday evening with over 60 participants in-person and over 130 joining via Zoom.
Additional Watch Parties included a variety of YMCA Snohomish County locations, Boys & Girls Clubs Snohomish County locations, and Keep Dreams Alive Foundation in Marysville. These community organizations engaged over 400 children. In addition, there were also over 80 children who participated from home via Zoom each day. Another update this year was expanding equitable access to supplies by providing 1,000 STEM kits aligned with the hands-on activities; volunteers donated over 130 hours to assemble the kits.
The total number of children engaged for the 2022 Spring into STEM series increased +950% reaching over 1,000 children. The immense positive response from parents, teachers, and the community indicates this hybrid model should continue in the future. Zeno Math presenter said, “We had a lot of fun and would love to participate again!”
After leaving the free public Watch Party at Imagine Children’s Museum, 5-year-old Rosalie said, “I loved it! Can we do it again?”
For more information, visit www.SnohomishSTEM.org/spring-into-stem.