Washington STEM

2026 Summit

Thursday, December 3

Microsoft Campus

15 years of learning together—and the road ahead.

Hosting Sponsor: Microsoft

For 15 years, Washington STEM has worked alongside teachers, students, employers, policymakers, and community leaders to strengthen STEM education and create more equitable pathways to economic security. What began with building awareness and expanding access to high-quality STEM learning has evolved into a broader focus on systems alignment, navigation, data, and preparing learners for a rapidly changing world.

This event will reflect on that journey while looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges facing Washington’s education and workforce systems.

The day will begin with what we’re learning from young people, families, navigators, and employers about the barriers that make education-to-career pathways difficult to navigate.  Breakout sessions will explore emerging opportunities—from preparing students and educators for an AI-enabled economy to building better regional understanding of early care and education through community-informed data.

We’ll also celebrate Washington leaders advancing equitable STEM policy through our Legislator of the Year Award, and close with a forward-looking conversation among students, educators, employers, and system leaders about what Washington needs to do over the next 15 years to ensure every learner can thrive.

Together, we’ll celebrate how far we’ve come, surface what we’re learning now, and consider what it will take to move Washington forward.

Register Now

Interested in sponsoring this year’s Summit?
Contact kat@washingtonstem.org

Agenda:

8:30 AM (30 min) Breakfast & Networking
Register, grab breakfast, and connect with fellow participants.

9:00 AM (70 min) Opening Session

Washington STEM at 15: What We’ve Learned. What Comes Next.
Washington STEM CEO Jenée Myers Twitchell will kick off the day with a reflection on Washington STEM’s evolution—from building STEM awareness and expanding access to high-quality learning to driving systems alignment, pathway navigation, data literacy, and AI readiness. The opening will also present findings from the Washington Broken Marketplace research project, bringing student perspectives and new insights into the challenges young people face in navigating postsecondary training and careers.

10:10 AM (15 min) Break

10:25 AM (90 min) Breakout Sessions
Choose between three conversations exploring critical opportunities across Washington’s education and workforce landscape:

  • True Genius: Human + AI Collaboration
    Explore how education and workforce systems can prepare learners with the skills, competencies, and mindsets needed for an AI-enabled economy.

  • The Whole Picture: Understanding Washington’s Early Care & Education Data Landscape
    Discover how community-informed regional data can create a more accurate picture of early care and education access, demand, and workforce challenges—and how this information can become a public good.

12:00 PM (105 min) Lunch & Closing Session
Celebrate Washington policymakers through the Legislator of the Year Award, hear about Washington STEM’s policy priorities, and join a forward-looking conversation about the next 15 years. Students, education leaders, employers, and practitioners will explore what it will take to strengthen systems, build alignment, and create better outcomes for learners across Washington.

1:45 PM (30 min) Celebration/Networking Time
The event will close with a celebration and toast to 15 years of collective action—and the work still ahead.

2:15 - 3:45 (90 min) STEM Alliance Meeting (Optional)

Questions? Contact: info@washingtonstem.org