Another Year of Exciting Work
by Sonia Siegel-Vexler, Pacific Science Center Teacher Education Manager and
Washington State LASER Program Manager

Since its inception, Washington State →LASER has partnered with businesses that understand how important investing in our children's education is to their industry's continued success. Intel based in Dupont, Washington continues to be one of those forward thinking businesses.

Intel has formed a partnership with Washington State LASER's South Sound Alliance to offer Networking Forums to LASER school districts in their region. These forums provide science leadership teams who support and implement their district science strategic plan the opportunity to learn more about high-quality, inquiry-based science education programs. Each forum allows teams to explore one or more of the critical elements of a quality science education program and to refine and revise their strategic plans as needed.

This year, the South Sound Alliance has focused their attention on the big picture of assessment and how all stakeholders--teachers, parents, administrators, and the community--can help our students succeed. Each forum elicits rave reviews as teachers have a chance to step away from the daily work of their classrooms and collaborate with other educators, administrators, and community members.

"Thanks again for the pleasure of meeting with other science educators and being able to step back and look at the big picture in science education," said one participant. Another writes, "I feel more confident helping teachers become aware of the Science WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) specifications, as well as what I can do to increase their understanding. It is reassuring to know that there is a network of educators to look to for support."

Thanks to Intel and other visionary businesses across the state, Washington State LASER will have the resources to continue providing these valuable professional learning opportunities for educators in the coming school year.

Washington State LASER is made possible by generous support of the Washington state legislature and these corporations: Agilent Technologies, Battelle, Boeing, Intel and Merck Institute for Science Education.