The Lake Washington Schools Foundation announce Sept. 5 that Waste Management awarded the Foundation $225,000 for new signature programs in the Lake Washington School District. Signature programs are a new approach to interdisciplinary learning, designed to inspire and prepare high school students for college and careers. Signature programs focus on both academic content knowledge and the interdisciplinary skills and attributes required for students to meet the district’s vision of future ready.

The award will be used to fund signature STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs for high school students to debut in the 2013-14 school year. Signature programs will consist of a three-course block of two core subjects and one elective, taught by a team of three teachers. The program’s design allows for a versatile, open-ended environment for students to engage in research and projects that focus on finding innovative solutions to complex, real world problems. These programs will also draw on help from industry experts, business and community leaders and college professors, who will work in partnership with students.

“These rigorous and relevant programs of study are modeled after other successful STEM-based, interdisciplinary programs we’ve observed around the country,” said Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent. “They will allow students to engage in collaboration, inquiry and problem-based learning.”

Together with funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, this award will fund STEM concentration labs for environmental engineering and sustainable design, medical bio-engineering and global engineering. Dr. Traci Pierce noted, “This award from Waste Management will help with the critical, materials, supplies and equipment for these first signature programs. We are grateful for their assistance.” This is the largest single gift ever awarded to the foundation.

The district has been planning these signature programs over the past few years. The three programs funded through this award will be open to 11th and 12th grade students at the STEM School and a limited number of students from other district high schools beginning in 2013-14. All four comprehensive high schools and three choice high schools are developing their own signature programs. These initial programs at the STEM school will support and help create signature programs for high schools across the district.

Foundation President Peg Hunt noted, “We are very excited about connecting businesses with the kinds of educational partnerships that will help prepare a globally competitive workforce. Waste Management recognizes the value of investing in new and innovative approaches to learning, particularly in the STEM area.”