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NWESD Partner Profile: Pacific Education Institute (PEI)








At Northwest Educational Service District, we rely on partners for local as well as statewide work. And I wanted to take some time to highlight Pacific Education Institute, one of Washington's science education biggest partners. Please know that if you get an email from PEI or their Field STEM Coordinator, Amy Keiper, the offer is legitimate... it is aligned to regional work... and 9BONUS!) it is often something that is free to districts! đŸ˜€

Pacific Education Institute (PEI) is a statewide nonprofit based in Olympia, Washington. PEI provides tools, materials and customized professional development for K-12 educators to engage students in outdoor-based STEM learning. Since 2003, PEI has been supporting teachers and school administrators to deliver culturally inclusive, integrated, standards-aligned science education grounded in locally relevant economic and ecological systems, in collaboration with community partners in conservation and natural resources.

PEI is an invaluable partner of NWESD and many districts in Washington State Field Stem and ClimeTime climate science initiatives. They do an absolutely amazing job at connecting students to local place-based contexts for learning environmental science, to local tribal education initiatives, and to local scientists and industry partners to anchor learning close to students' lives. And they work hard to center their work on Washington State's science learning standards and supporting their implementation in classrooms.

PEI's NW FieldSTEM Coordinator Amy Keiper lives in Bellingham and serves educators and community partners in Whatcom, Skagit, northern Snohomish, San Juan and Island counties. If you have any questions about FieldSTEM professional learning; clock hours; [free] consultation opportunities for your school or district;  or if you have a question about a specific project or just want to learn more about PEI's support services, I encourage you to reach out to Amy! She is well-established as a teacher leader in our region and has a wealth of knowledge to help connect you to local resources!

Amy Keiper
Northwest WA FieldSTEM Coordinator
360-927-5016 (cell)
akeiper@pacificeducationinstitute.org
pacificeducationinstitute.org


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