Southern Oregon STE(A)M Hub

Southern Oregon STE(A)M Hub offers project-based learning in the classroom, after-school programs, and summer camps. The program also facilitates robotics or innovation competitions. It views STEAM as a “way of thinking” or a “way of being” in the classroom and emphasizes scientific inquiry, creativity and innovation, computational thinking, project-based learning, and collaborative problem solving as hallmarks of the 21st century workplace and Southern Oregon Education Service District schools.

• Ages: 3–18 years old

Southern Oregon STE(A)M Hub’s mission is to infuse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into every classroom and beyond. The program motivates students through project-based learning in the classroom, after-school programs, and summer camps, and facilitates high quality STEAM activities such as summer camps, robotics or innovation competitions, and after-school programs. It brings rigor, relevance, and authentic learning experiences to students in pre-school through post-secondary education and supports Career Technical Education (CTE) programs of study. The program develops advanced and dual credit opportunities at various high schools and strategizes with STEM Integration and Career Connected Learning.

The Southern Oregon STE(A)M Hub initiative leverages, coordinates, and supports relationships with stakeholders in K–12, higher education, business, industry, and community. It works with schools, colleges, community partners, and industry partners, and provides innovative STE(A)M Hub learning opportunities in collaboration with business and industry partners. Efforts to coordinate college and career related learning experiences for educators, community partners, students and their families are supported by the STE(A)M Hub. The program focuses on core relationship competencies and mindsets to drive outcomes for regional economic prosperity and targets the development of a skilled workforce for high wage and high demand jobs. It supports the learning of academics, technical and employability skills so that students graduate high school with confidence and are ready for success in education and careers. It leverages substantial grant funding, volunteer involvement, and other in-kind resources to provide service offerings and uses a collective impact approach to help all Oregonians graduate from high school and attain some level of post-secondary education that will prepare them for success in college or on a career path leading to high wage, high demand jobs.

The mission of the Southern Oregon STEM Hub is to create a learner-focused ecosystem of STEM, Career Technical Education, and career-related learning experiences and pathways. Its goals include providing STEM, Career Technical Education, and career-related learning pathways for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 20, professional development for educators, increasing equity and diversity in STEM, and bolstering STEM-related businesses and industries in the southern Oregon region. The leadership team includes Karla Clark, STE(A)M Hub Program Manager; Lisa Udall, Administrative Assistant; Heather Armstrong, STEM Integration Support; Emily Coleman, STEM Integration Support; Amy Lukens, Career Connected Learning; Amy Maukonen, Lending Library Support; and Morgan Cottle, Dual Credit Coordinator.

Last updated June 11, 2026.