Wa-Hi STEM grant application submitted to state

This week the district’s official grant proposal for $4 million in improvements to the Walla Walla High School science facility was submitted to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The goal of the project is to improve STEM curriculum delivery, then apply these skills through project-based learning experiences to prepare students for the 21st Century economy. The proposed project will renovate and expand the 53-year-old science classrooms and labs at Walla Walla High School to meet the Washington state Science Learning Standards and increase STEM offerings schoolwide. Grant recipients will be announced in May. Site visits for finalists are expected in early spring.

The project calls for renovating 14,524 square feet which consists of 10 STEM classroom/laboratory combinations, as well as prep areas and storage. The design is based on recommendations from the National Science Teachers Association which call for 60 square feet per student in a combined classroom/laboratory setting. Walla Walla High School presently does not have the required classroom and lab space to meet the new state graduation requirements and Science and Engineering practices. During the project, Walla Walla High School will utilize temporary classrooms, empty classrooms available during prep periods and existing community facilities to house students while construction is underway. Once construction is completed, WWPS will use state matching funds and local dollars to properly outfit the learning spaces to meet today’s STEM needs to prepare students for college and careers.