Happy July!

Hello, {{Constituent First Name}}, please see this month's updates from the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub!

STEM Hub News

2023 Advanced Manufacturing Educator Externship Thank YOU!

We would like to thank each of our educators and industry hosts for making the 2023 Advanced Manufacturing Educator Externship a great success! 16 local middle school and high school educators from four school districts gained a greater understanding of career paths in Advanced Manufacturing, a prominent field in the Gorge region. 

Educators engaged in a 3-day, hands-on learning experience that included an overview of the Advanced Manufacturing program at Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC). Educators also toured six local manufacturing sites including Cardinal Glass, Cascadia Motion, Orchard View Cherries,  pFriem, Powderpure, and Elementum Adventure Vehicles.

The Educator Externship is a component of the STEM Hub’s Career Connected Learning work which focuses on expanding career awareness, exploration, and preparation for Gorge youth through engaging educators and industry professionals across multiple sectors.

Interested in participating as a host for next year's Educator Externship?

Email Kate Wurster at kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us

Learn More 

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, April 19th, 2024: Gorge College & Career Expo!

The 2024 College & Career Expo will return on Friday, April 19th, 2024 with a new format! Designed for High School Juniors & Seniors. 

Learn More

To Get Involved Through Your Company:

• OR Companies: Kate Wurster, kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us
• WA Companies: Chad Mullen, chad.mullen@esd112.org

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, October 6th, 2023: Middle School Rube-A-Thon!

The STEM Hub will be hosting an in-person Make-A-Thon on Friday, October 6^th from 9am-1pm at the Columbia Gorge Community College Campus in The Dalles for 7^th grade students in our region. Students will participate in teams in a Rube Goldberg style event called a Rube-A-Thon! Industry professionals interested in volunteering at the Rube-A-Thon can complete the sign up below.

To Volunteer: Complete this brief Google Form

Oregon Community Foundation and partnership with OSU Wasco County 4H in hiring teen leaders continues to support STEM summer programming in Hood River, Wasco, and Gilliam counties

We are thrilled to announce the continuation of our STEM Teen Leaders program for yet another year! In partnership with OSU/Wasco County 4H, our STEM Hub received a grant from Oregon Community Foundation to hire teen leaders to serve as mentors for students in STEM programs throughout Hood River, Wasco, and Gilliam Counties. Starting last summer, 22 teen interns have been trained in Social Emotional Learning and provided educational support to younger students in STEM activities, robotics programming, and maker clubs throughout the region!  

Partner Opportunities

Interested in helping to support the STEM Hub’s mission?
We invite you to join one of our Collaboratory Committees! The committees provide an opportunity for you to provide feedback to the STEM Hub's work, and connect with partners who may be able to support you in your own efforts & initiatives!  Connect with others who share your passion of ensuring quality STEM experiences for youth in the Gorge!

Upcoming Meetings:

• Career Connected Learning (CCL) Collaboratory: Wednesday, 8/23, 4-5 pm
• STEM Advisory Council Meeting: Monday, July 31st @ 9-11am
• Community Collaboratory: Details coming soon!

Learn More & Apply Here 

Youth & Community Opportunities 

Introductory Robotics 2-Day Workshop from Google: Sept 16th-17th

Google is sponsoring a 2-day introductory robotics workshop for 6-8th grade middle school students on September 16-17, 2023 at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center in The Dalles.

This workshop is for any middle school student in grades 6-8 who is interested in robotics and STEM topics.  Best suited for students with beginner or limited experience with robotics.

The focus of these workshops is to give kids a chance to experience STEM and work with a group to build a robot over the course of the 2-day weekend in a fun and inclusive environment. 

Robotics instructors will support students through the robot building process, with everyone having a chance to have a friendly competition with their robots on day 2.  Google will provide breakfast, lunch, snacks, all robotics supplies, and a full two days of inspiration and STEM curriculum.

Location: Fort Dalles Readiness Center, 402 E Scenic Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058

Dates: September 16-17, 2023

Time: 8am-4pm daily

Learn More & Register Here

Free Library Resources:

• Experience Pass - Use your library card to access Free Passes to local exhibits including Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and WonderWorks Museum!  Learn More

• Bookmobile - Check out books for all ages just like at the main library. See Bookmobile schedule

Wasco County 4-H Summer Camps 

A variety of summer camps are still avaliable including many STEM camps.

View all Camps & Register

Summer Camps and Programs across Oregon

Check out an extensive list of summer programs happening across the state!

View List

American Rocketry Challenge for MS/HS Students involved in a non-profit youth or educational organization:

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. 

The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems. 

Teams can include 3-10 students who are currently enrolled in grades 6 through 12 in a U.S. school or homeschool. A single school or a single U.S. incorporated non-profit youth or educational organization (excluding the NAR, Tripoli Rocketry Association, or any of their local chapters or any other incorporated rocket organization), may apply to be a team.

Registration is open now!

Learn More

See Rules