Woodinville HIgh School Bio Expo

In anticipation for the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research annual BIOEXPO, Woodinville High School teacher Sylvia law had to make a decision.   The Regional NWABR event, allows 40 participants from each school and her classes have more that 150 students enrolled.

“The NWABR BIOEXPO was such a positive experience for the students who got to participate last year.   Not only did they do quite well in the competition, all of them made important connections with community members and industry professionals.” “Sharing their projects grew their confidence and helped them get real world advice about their areas of interest.”

Last year Law was able to take all of her Occupational Education credit students to the NWABR EXPO, but this year with a quadrupled number of students, “We decided to have our own.”

The Woodinville High School BIOExpo Symposium will be held May 22nd at 6:45 pm Woodinville High School Commons.    The Northshore Schools Foundation has teamed up with Law, her fellow teachers and Damen Schuneman, Director of the Career and College Readiness programs to sponsor this event.
The Northshore Schools Foundation has identified the Biomedical pathway as a key aspect of their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) priority that supports both students and local industry.   “ We think this is a fabulous opportunity to build a bridge between professionals and students, and help define a more direct pathway that will allow students to get the skills they need to be prepared to fill the jobs of the future.

Students will be portraying their understanding of Biomedical concepts through various media — Art, Website, Lab Research, Molecular Modeling, Multimedia, Music, Creative Writing, Journalistic Writing and Dance/Drama.  Over 50 educators, industry professionals and community members will be on site to judge the students work. Local businesses such as BIOLife Solutions, Seattle Genetics, Walgrens, NW Trophys, AMGEN, Evergreen and Swedish hospitals, Sundance Energy and several local chiropractors, doctors and dentists.

During the Northshore Schools Foundation Calling for Kids Campaign last fall the community supported the Woodinville High School Biomedical Science program by purchasing a PCR Machine for the class.    The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine facilitates a scientific technique in molecular biology to amplify a single or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.  “Having access to this machine means that students get to start on track with current technology.  When they graduate and pursue further education they will be able keep current with new technologies with out having to catch up to where industry is now.  It’s things like this that allow students to be catalysts for change in the world,” Law said.

The Northshore Schools Foundation will kick off an all community support campaign this August.  For more information about the “All in for Kids.” Campaign visitwww.NorthshoreSchoolsFoundation.org

By ANDY NYSTROMBothell Reporter Editor May 3, 2012 · 4:15 PM

As an editor, reporter and photographer at the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, I’m always aware of what goes on around me. I’ve constantly got my ears and eyes wide open for stories to share with our readers. Even when I think I might take off my journalist’s cap for an hour or two to attend a luncheon, I’m always on the clock. I just can’t help it. Any journalist will tell you the same thing.

The event, featuring Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, highlighted a variety of programs funded by the Northshore Schools Foundation and demonstrated  the organization’s commitment to ensuring students have access to  the resources they need as they prepare to enter the workforce of our future.

Canyon Creek’s marimba band created an atmosphere of joy and energy as more than 300 business owners, industry professionals, parents and school district staff gathered to celebrate the contributions made by the foundation.

Teachers John Schmied from Skyview Junior High, Lydia Booker from Woodmoor Elementary and Kathleen Dearborn from the career and college readiness program, celebrated how grants from the foundation have made an everyday contribution to their students and enhanced the educational opportunities that the Northshore School District already provides.

Dr. Dunbar shared her inspiring story from farm to space and cited how dedicated teachers helped direct her way, and how knowledge of STEM subjects is the key to discovering how the world works. “Eighty-seven percent of the jobs of the future will require STEM skills,” she said.

Event emcee, Andy Wappler, vice president of corporate affairs for Puget Sound Energy, brought to life how corporate partners and sponsors are investing in the workforce of their future, by supporting students now.

Students from Wellington’s Helping Hands program emphasized how their service learning program, partially supported by the foundation, is teaching them lifelong service learning skills.

“The Helping Hands program teaches us important lessons through doing service projects.  We learn to be aware of the needs of others. We develop compassion for those in need.  We think of others and not just ourselves,“ said Wellington student Nathan Ahlstrom.

Hannah Thomas, Bothell High School ASB president and student presenter shared, “I have realized just how much of an impact the foundation has had, since the beginning, every single day. For me, science and leadership inspired me, and I had many helpful teachers along the way to support me. But there are so many other paths one can take. For someone, math and business might be their forte. For another, it could be languages or culinary arts. Whatever the path is, the Northshore Schools Foundation is there to provide an extra boost, to shine some extra light on the path. I have experienced this first-hand, and I know that so many others have as well.”

The event was sponsored by more than 56 local and regional companies. Title sponsor for the event was Cornerstone General Contractors, who was also honored with the Foundation Support Award.

Molbak’s was honored as a premiere sponsor.

Major Sponsors included Foundation House of Bothell, Northwest Totem Cellars, BioLife Solutions, Hollywood Schoolhouse and the Windermere Foundation. Microsoft, McKinstry, Boeing, Fred Meyer and the Friends of the Foundation provided more than $40,000 of challenge match funds for people making gifts of more than $200 at the event.

Other sponsors included:

Banner Bank, Barrage Cellars, BECU, Brent Planning Solutions, Dykeman Architects, Inc, Elevation Cellars, Fairwinds, Brittany Park, Kiwanis of Northshore, HR Kinnections, Obelisco Estates, Patterson Cellars, PBS Engineering, Project V Distillery, Puget Sound Energy, School Employees Credit Union, Studio Meng Strazaara, architects, Symmetry Electronics, Yakima Fruit Market, Advanced European Auto, James Todd Cochrane, author, Bothell Music Festival, Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Fey & Grey Orthodontics, Educational Data Services, Evergreen Karate, Intrigue Chocolates, Italianissimo Ristorante, Law Firm of Johns Monroe Mitsunaga Kolouskova, Knight Visions Gallery, NAC Architects, NSEA, New Ventures Group, Clover Leaf Rebekah Lodge 54, Rely Local, Bothell, Woodinville Kirkland, Rick Knotts, musician, Russell’s, Snapdoodle Toys, State Farm – Barry Glenn, Travis, Fitzmaurice & Associates, Inc, Woodinville Weekly, Susan Fyall Property Management and Twin Brook Creamery.

http://www.nwnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6211:nsf-luncheon-raises-118000-for-students-stem-&catid=34:news&Itemid=72

You can also find the information at www.NorthshoreSchoolsFoundation.org/teachers

Remember:  No late submissions will be accepted and applications are due by 5:00pm on April 12th.

How it works!  Start here with this link, and you will be taken directly to the Amazon.com site.  From there, log into your account like normal and make your purchases!  Watch our newsletter for reports about how your purchases are adding up to a big corporate donation for students.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/homepage.html?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&tag=northpubliedu-20&link_code=hom&*entries*=0

Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Keynote Speaker, Northshore Schools Foundation
Light a Fire for Learning Luncheon  - April 26

Lynnwood, WA - The Northshore community lights a fire every spring in anticipation of the annual Light a Fire for Learning Luncheon. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, retired NASA astronaut and Washington State native, the ninth annual event will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Lynnwood Convention Center.

The luncheon will welcome 500 guests, to celebrate education and Northshore students, with proceeds benefitting all students in the Northshore School District. The goal of the luncheon is to raise more than $100,000 that will fund the Foundation’s continued funding initiatives which include supporting Teacher Excellence; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education; Support for Advanced and Disadvantaged Learners; Fitness, Health Music & Enhancement and; Literacy Support in all thirty one Northshore schools.

Since 1985, Dr. Dunbar has served in five space flights, logging in more that 1,208 hours in space. Dr. Dunbar now serves as Director of Higher Education & STEM and leads education policy and strategy, integration of colleges and universities into Boeing’s school portfolio and strategic development and alignment of the company’s initiatives.   She has previous served as Executive Director of Wings Over Washington,  and the President and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, and has received the Washington State Medal of Merit and been named a Woman of Influence by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Dr. Dunbar shares the Northshore Schools Foundation commitment to enhancing STEM education in the state of Washington.

Along with Dr. Dunbar’s presentation the Luncheon will feature Northshore student presentations and entertainment. The Lynnwood Convention Center is located at 3711 196th Street S.W., Lynnwood, Washington 98036. To register for the Luncheon on-online visit www. NorthshoreSchoolsFoundation.org or facebook.com/northshoreschoolsfoundation. For more information please call (425) 408-7680.

XXX

http://lightafire2012.eventbrite.com/

Northshore Schools Foundation!

Canyons menu has something for everyone: from tender Baby Back Ribs, Sizzling Fajitas and Juicy Burgers to Crisp Specialty Salads, Spicy Fish Tacos, Outrageous Burritos, Tasty Wraps and much more.  A perfect fit for dinner for the whole family or just for you alone. You will find that the food is fresh, has been carefully prepared and is unique in flavor and style.

Locally owned and operated, the Canyons Restaurant chain is donating 20% of your dinner proceeds when you make a reservation at

 425-485-3288 AND Canyons’ fundraising flyer and bring it with you when you dine.

 Register here so we know you are coming!  (You will still need to make reservations.)