A total of four schools and two districts will serve as science, technology, engineering and math mentors to other schools in the state, including one school in Federal Way.

TAF Academy and five other schools/districts have been named STEM Lighthouse Schools and were recently awarded $20,000 grants each that will promote and develop STEM education, including technical assistance and advice for other elementary, middle, high schools, and districts that are developing their own STEM environments. The other schools/districts are: Brownsville Elementary in the Central Kitsap School District; Rochester High School, Rochester; Eatonville Elementary School; and the Lopez and Everett school districts.

“Many of our future jobs are going to require STEM skills,” Chris Reykdal, superintendent of public instruction, said. “Our Lighthouse schools have proven successful in getting their students that education. Having those schools share their success with other schools is a great example of the collaboration we have in Washington.”

STEM Lighthouse schools began in 2010 and directs the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to designate lighthouse schools, which will “serve as resources and examples of how to combine the following best practices:

Small, highly personalized learning communities;

An interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), delivered through a project-based instructional approach; and

Active partnerships with businesses and the local community to connect learning beyond the classroom.”

Since 2011, a total of 36 schools and 6 districts have been named STEM Lighthouse schools.