Dozens of young leaders in STEM — some as young as 5 years old — presented their climate change projects to more than 200 people during the STEM Education Innovation Alliance at the State Capitol Wednesday. Gov. Jay Inslee spoke to the standing room-only group, saying the passion and curiosity of science, technology, engineering and math students will lead the way on climate change.
“There is nothing more important to the dynamic, creative, innovative economy in Washington than the work done by people in this room,” Inslee said.
Students gave presentations on topics such as fish hatcheries, healthy soil, beaver activity and habitat, breathing clean air, saving the Southern Resident orcas and even how climate change affects Capitol Lake. A group of kindergartners discussed different species of trees and their inhabitants, and then showed the audience how to plant a tree. The students traveled from Colville, Colton, Tacoma, Ellensburg and Shelton, among other communities, representing 14 schools. Inslee made his way around a crowded room, meeting students and asking questions about their poster board projects and visual aids.
Inslee’s proposed budget for 2019–21 would support STEM students in many ways: have grant funding for climate science education, offer free college tuition for eligible students, expand career-connected learning for kids who want to learn STEM industries, offer grants for computer science and build better access to broadband services.
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.