The Skagit STEM Network formed late in 2015 through the efforts of the Sedro-Woolley School District and City of Sedro-Woolley. The goal was to create a process to align K-12 education, higher education, community, and business partners to support STEM learning and opportunity.

Sedro-Woolley was the first city north of Snohomish County to be selected for a STEM planning grant and become one of 10 STEM Networks in Washington.

Washington STEM provided an initial grant that was the catalyst to develop a unique partnership between the Sedro-Woolley School District, City of Sedro-Woolley, Port of Skagit, EDASC, Skagit Valley College and Janicki Industries. During 2016, other partners joined the planning process including: Boy Scouts of America, Mount Baker Council; Children's Museum of Skagit County; Community Action of Skagit County; Girl Scouts of Western Washington; Junior Achievement of Washington; Northwest Innovation Resource Center; NW Workforce; Skagit Community Foundation; Skagit County Child and Family Consortium; KSVR Radio; PACCAR; PeaceHealth/United General Hospital; Skagit County; and Skagit Publishing.

Due to interest and success, the Sedro-Woolley STEM Network then evolved to the Skagit STEM Network. We were excited that all Skagit School Districts partnered in Skagit STEM: Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, Conway, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley.

In late 2016, Washington STEM awarded the Skagit STEM Network a $200,000 grant over the next two years from Washington STEM to support efforts to advance student access to science, technology, and math education and career opportunities throughout Skagit County. 

With the support of education, business and community leaders throughout the region, the Skagit STEM Network evolved to the NW Washington STEM Network in 2021. The new NW Washington STEM Network created a coordinated effort with planning partners and local  stakeholder organizations in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties to serve as a catalyst for initiatives, leveraging resources and programs and building community. 

Thanks to the support of education, business and community leaders throughout the region, the NW Washington STEM Network  evolvied to the Career Connect NW Network (CCNW) in 2023 to better meet the career development needs of Northwest Washington students. CCNW will continue as a collaboration of two Washington STEM regional networks and provide access to the best STEM education possible.

“This evolution reflects an expansion in our capacity and ability to serve additional students in pursuing high demand, family wage jobs – many of which have STEM foundations,” said Jenny Veltri, CCNW Network Lead and NW Washington STEM Network Director. “We are tremendously excited about the continued growth and success of our efforts in Northwest Washington to provide a collaborative environment for our community to work together to prepare future generations for economic success.”

We invite you to join with us and participate in creating an even brighter future for our students, our community and our economy. Come join us!