Governor sees unique partnerships

Educators across the country are seeking to operate off a curriculum platform known by the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. The concept is that integrating these elements helps prepare students for jobs in the 21st-century economy.

Governor Kate Brown saw STEAM-powered education in action at Sisters High School last Friday - delivered by a unique set of community partnerships.

Governor Brown visited the luthier (guitar-building) program housed in the Sisters High School woodshop. The program is a partnership between the school district, Sisters Folk Festival, and Breedlove Guitars.

The luthier program is about much more than simply learning to build a guitar. Students learn computer assisted design (CAD) and hands-on design and building techniques that are transferable to other kinds of work. And the class draws interest from students who are on a college-bound academic track and those who want to go into the trades.

"The goal for me is to improve Oregon's graduation rate," said Governor Brown. "And it's all about hands-on and excitement."

Woodshop teacher Tony Cosby noted that the class can put a student in the alternative education program to work right next to "a kid who's going to med school."

Brown asked student Rory Petterson to talk about his work. Petterson showed her how he designed a customized headstock for his guitar on the computer, then showed off his work-in-progress.

"What do you like about this work?" Gov. Brown asked.

"Doing something like this on the computer and bringing it out into the real world," Petterson replied. "I think this has opened me up to so many experiences and so many opportunities - it led me toward the engineering side."

Gov. Brown also visited Sisters High School's Flight Sciences Program, co-sponsored by the school district, ENERGYneering Solutions, and Sisters Science Club. The main purpose of the class is to introduce students to the science and wonder of flight, and prepare them to take the FAA Private Pilot written exam.

Coursework for this class is mostly computer-based. Volunteer pilots serve as mentors and coaches. Students also have opportunities for flight.

The greenhouse that is under construction at Sisters High School in conjunction with Sisters Science Club and Sisters Kiwanis was also on the tour. That facility provides not only educational opportunities in agricultural sciences, but also provides fresh food for students.

The programs that continue to thrive in Sisters despite enrollment struggles and tight budgets reflect a high degree of community engagement from local nonprofits and individuals. Such programs serve as a model for initiatives that could be applied across Oregon - which is what sparked Brown's interest.

And Governor Brown recognized the key element that makes such innovations feasible: "Thanks to the volunteers," she said. "This program wouldn't be happening with out them, right?"

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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