The Spotlight on Women in STEM features a series of inspiring videos along with interactive classroom materials that are designed to showcase the tremendous opportunities for women in four of our highest demand, living wage industries in Northwest Washington – Technology, Health Care, Engineering and Construction. 

This 34-minute, highly engaging video captures the power of Women in STEM in our community and highlights career professionals, post-secondary and K-12 students pursuing high demand STEM jobs, and programs of study available at the region’s higher education institutions and apprenticeship programs.

Click here to watch the full documentary. Download the Viewing Guide below.

There are four shorter videos in this program. The videos below highlight four high demand opportunities for women -  Technology, Health Care, Engineering and Construction.

The target audience is young women in middle and high school just starting to discover their interests.

To facilitate use of these videos in the classroom, interactive curriculum has been developed to create a turnkey package for educators to incorporate into their lesson plans.

The videos and teaching materials were produced by the NW Washington STEM Network.

Skagit STEM and the NW Washington STEM Network have been leaders in paving the way for women in STEM fields. For further information contact info@SkagitSTEMNetwork.com.

Spotlight: Women in Technology

Women in STEM - Meet Gracie, Abigayle and Ashlyn

Three young women at different stages in their journey working in technology share how it is a field that is accessible to everyone.  They share how it's never too late to start in the industry and that it is a "superpower" that impacts every other field imaginable, from health care to the environment. Featuring engaging conversations with Gracie Ermi, Research Software Engineer at Vulcan, Inc; Abigayle Peterson, Computer Science student at Western Washington University; and, Ashlyn Morgareidge, Concrete Middle School student.

Click here to watch the Women in Technology video.

Spotlight: Women in Engineering

and Advanced Manufacturing

Women in STEM - Meet Olivia, Anna and Gina

According to these three women, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing is an exciting way to blend creativity with science and math.  They may not all have had perfect grades in high school, but that hasn't stopped them from finding success in this fast-growing field.  Spotlighting the experiences of Olivia Rogers, Project Manager at Janicki Industries; Anna Novack, Plastics and Composites student at Western Washington University; and, Gina Kim, Manufacturing Engineering student at Western Washington University.

Click here to watch the Women in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing video.

Spotlight: Women in Health Care

Women in STEM - Meet Kathy, Olivia and Charity

Featuring one woman working in Health Care and two students on the path to careers in Health Care, these women discuss how the medical career pathway provides so many different options to help other people improve their lives.  Highlighting the stories of Kathy Corrion, Nursing Faculty at Skagit Valley College; Olivia Isakson, Sedro-Woolley High School student; and, Charity Jordan, La Conner High School student.

Click here to watch the Women in Health Care video.

Spotlight: Women in Construction

Women in STEM - Meet Shay, Sarah and Alyssa

These three women discuss what drew them to this field and the endless opportunities in construction that can earn them economic freedom, take them around the world, and provide the chance for life-long learning. Featuring the success stories of Shay Haler, welding student at Bellingham Technical Institute; Sarah Patterson, Workforce Development Director at the AGC Education Foundation; and, Alyssa Willis, Process Engineer at the Puget Sound Refinery.

Click here to watch the Women in Construction video.

Take nearly 400 area junior and high school students from all Skagit schools. Mix in keynotes by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Shirley Yap, Shell VP US West Coast. Add presentations by top industry leaders and terrific students. Spice it up with interactive displays by 17 businesses and organizations. And you’ll have a recipe for an incredibly successful Spotlight on Women in STEM.

"Our goal was to create an engaging experience, where students could explore the endless possibilities of STEM careers available to them and hear inspiring personal career stories " said Michelle Judson, executive director of the Skagit STEM Network, which sponsored the half-day program at McIntyre Hall at Skagit Valley College. "The day provided an opportunity to meet diverse STEM professionals, ask lots of questions, and have some fun. We wanted the students to dream big and the day was an incredible success!"

“Our goals was to create a tremendously inspiring experience where students could explore the endless possibilities of STEM opportunities and find their career passion,” said Michelle Judson, executive director of the Skagit STEM Network, which sponsored the half-day program at McIntyre Hall at Skagit Valley College. “We wanted the students to dream big! The day was an incredible success!”

Rep. DelBene kicked off the second annual event by sharing her journey in STEM fields. “As someone who made a career in STEM before coming to Congress, I know how important it is for young women to develop the skills to compete in a 21st century economy,” she said. “Understanding how things work will benefit you wherever you go,” she said. “I want to encourage you to pursue your passion.”

Shirley Yap during her keynote provided this advice to all of the women in the room: “It’s OK to have self-doubt sometimes. If you ever ask yourself, ‘Am I good enough?’ then you must ask yourself what needs to be true to be good enough. Answer that question and go after your dreams with passion and purpose. You are more than good enough!”

Following the keynotes, there were amazing presentations by Jill Boon, VP Human Resources and Recruiting, Mighty AI, and Jerome Holman, Technical Program Manager, Facebook Reality Labs. The program closed with inspiring remarks by students Alex Shepler, pursuing Computer Science Software Engineering and Business Administration Degrees, and Selome Zerai, Computer Science Major / Engineering Design, at WWU. After lunch Whitney Meissner, Superintendent of the La Conner School District, shared her love of math.

“It’s the beginning of a new era and together, we have a chance to change the world,” Holman said. “Go and achieve what is in your heart.”

The students also had a chance to participate in a Scavenger Hunt by talking with representatives from 17 businesses and organizations.

Thank you to our sponsors: Shell Puget Sound Refinery, Starbucks, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Port of Skagit, and Sedron Technologies.

Thanks to the participating businesses and organizations who provided the phenomenal interactive tables during the scavenger hunt: Shell Puget Sound Refinery, The Bread Lab, Hexcel Corporation, Integra LTC Solutions, Skagit County Sheriff Office, Air Liquide, SAM Labs, Microsoft, PeaceHealth, Sedron Technologies, Western Washington University Engineering & Design, PACCAR, Mount Vernon Medical Crew, Gene Juarez and Coding Dojo.

Click here to read Skagit STEM Network puts on event for local girls in the Skagit Herald.