North Central ESD Apple STEM Network

The Apple STEM Network began two years ago as a grass-roots partnership between educators, government agencies, industry, and nonprofits to support and expand opportunities for youth through STEM education. The Apple STEM Network operates as a collective impact model, which allows each agency to put supportive efforts toward this common vision that are differentiated, but mutually reinforcing. The local STEM Network applied for funding and affiliation with Washington STEM last year, and received a 3-year grant for implementation. Wenatchee Valley College provided fiscal oversight for the grant for the first year, and this past September the North Central Educational Service District stepped in to take the lead on this effort.

The Apple STEM Network is co-led by the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance (GWATA) Director, Jenny Napier, and the North Central Educational Service Districts STEM Coordinator and Director, Dr. Sue Kane.

The North Central Educational Service District has been a lead partner for the Apple STEM Network since the start. This past August, the North Central Educational Service District coordinated a week at the start of the academic year for STEM professional learning for educators. The Apple STEM Network supported the effort through coordinated outreach to educators and industry partners, and with a grant from Our Valley Our Future. The results of these efforts produced a regional professional learning conference, the inaugural STEM Summit, held at the Wenatchee Convention Center August 14-17^th. This conference drew 226 regional educators who took part in 54 sessions and various opportunities to connect with other regional STEM educators, and inspiring keynote presentations including the Washington State Teacher of the year Camille Jones, a panel of STEM industry experts.