Our future

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Washington’s future leaders, creators, and employees are learning and growing in our public schools right now. By offering programs with cutting-edge tech, mentorships, and career pathways, our public schools help all students thrive academically and pursue meaningful futures.

Click on a story below to read more about the great things happening in our public schools.

Cascadia Tech students plant a moon tree!

Cascadia Tech students plant a moon tree!

On March 24, students from Cascadia Tech Academy’s Forest Management program planted an Artemis/Moon tree. This Douglas Fir tree’s seeds actually orbited the moon during the NASA’s Artemis I mission. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement partnered with U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services to fly five species of tree seeds aboard Artemis I as part of a national STEM Engagement and conservation education initiative. Cascadia Tech applied and was chosen to receive one of the Moon trees.

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Eco-engineering students research & present renewable energy applications

Eco-engineering students research & present renewable energy applications

Students in the Eco-Engineering class at Centennial Middle School in Spokane held an Energy Expo where students presented on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen and biomass. Students researched renewable energy systems, explored real-world applications and designed models to represent how energy sources work.

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Student-led habitat project transforms school courtyard

Student-led habitat project transforms school courtyard

Students in the Washougal High School Green Team are leading a hands-on project to transform their school courtyard into a native habitat learning space. Through planning, collaboration, and on-site restoration work, students are building real-world skills while working toward Backyard Habitat Certification.

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Salmon dissection brings anatomy to life at Franklin Middle School

Salmon dissection brings anatomy to life at Franklin Middle School

Franklin Middle School students are getting glimpses into future careers through hands-on experiences, including a recent salmon dissection led by professionals from the Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program (YBEEP). Experiences like this help spark curiosity in science and open doors to careers in marine biology, environmental conservation, fisheries management, wildlife biology, veterinary science, and ecosystem research.

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Exploring wildland firefighting careers & hands-on science

Exploring wildland firefighting careers & hands-on science

Students in White Salmon Valley School District spent time outdoors with the Washington Department of Natural Resources to learn about careers in wildland firefighting and natural resource management. The lesson included hands-on experience conducting fuels transect activities on the school property. Students also learned to identify different fuel types and make science-based recommendations for fire mitigation and prevention.

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Hands-on birdhouse project connects Washougal students across grades

Hands-on birdhouse project connects Washougal students across grades

Fourth-grade students in Washougal took their science and math lessons beyond the classroom walls through an innovative birdhouse building project. Washougal High School Woods Technology classes created the birdhouse kits, while middle school students from Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Middle Schools provided direct support to Cape Horn-Skye and Columbia River Gorge Elementary students, mentoring the younger students through the construction process.

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Roots to Wings program launches at Yakima School District

Roots to Wings program launches at Yakima School District

Yakima School District’s CTE and GEAR UP Program has launched the “Roots to Wings” program in partnership with Pacific Northwest University (PNWU), preparing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals through hands-on experiences in medicine, emergency care, and clinical skills. The program connects students with student doctors from PNWU who serve as peer mentors. Students engage in practical learning opportunities, including human anatomy studies, DNA exploration, sheep brain dissections, CPR certification, dental care training, emergency medical techniques, and high-tech simulation labs.

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Washougal students visit Steigerwald for hands-on science lessons

Washougal students visit Steigerwald for hands-on science lessons

Fifth graders from Columbia River Gorge Elementary headed outdoors this fall for a hands-on day of learning at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Before the trip, educators with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership visited classrooms to teach about bird species, native plants, and fish anatomy.

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HHS students measure photosynthesis in action

HHS students measure photosynthesis in action

Students in AP Biology at Hockinson High School recently turned their classroom into a working lab to study the process of photosynthesis. Using baking soda, spinach leaves, CO2 and water, they measured how quickly oxygen bubbles caused spinach disks to rise to the surface of a cup.

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