$1M donation makes sure every Tri-Cities area student has a chance to become a scientist

Battelle is donating $1 million to help turn students in the Tri-Cities area into the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Battelle, which operates Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland for the Department of Energy, made the announcement by webcast on Wednesday as part of its continuing celebration of its 90th anniversary.

“We hope this gift contributes to future, fantastic scientific advances,” said Lou Von Thaer, the president of not-for-profit Battelle.

The donation will go to the Washington State STEM Education Foundation to advance education in science, technology, engineering and math under the new Mid-Columbia STEM Nexus initiative.

The goal is to make sure that students — including low-income, rural, female and minority students — have the opportunities and encouragement they need to pursue STEM careers.

That could mean piquing their interest in science with hands-on activities, meeting STEM professionals to help them see themselves in the same types of careers, and providing role models, mentors and eventually internships.

The initiative will be focused primarily on students in grades 6-12.

Only 40% of Washington’s high school students earn a STEM college degree by age 26. The Mid-Columbia STEM Nexus wants to work toward 70% by 2030.

The Battelle donation will make sure everyone feels they can pursue a STEM career, said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who joined the video webcast.

“Internships and mentorships are so important,” she said.

Why STEM?

STEM careers offer higher pay; target important issues like clean water and climate; and help the economy by finding solutions to the nation’s challenges, said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., in a recorded video.

The Mid-Columbia STEM Nexus also offers PNNL the opportunity to develop some home-grown talent.

Recruiting professionals from major metropolitan areas to the DOE lab in Richland can be a challenge, said Roger Snyder, the site manager for the DOE Pacific Northwest Site Office.

But the new initiative will help give the national lab direct access to historically underrepresented, underserved students in STEM fields as the next generation of scientific leadership for the nation is developed, he said.

“We find the most notable discoveries and outcomes — those expected of a national laboratory — occur when mulitdisciplinary and diverse teams come together to tackle vexing problems,” said Steve Ashby, PNNL director and Battelle senior vice president.

Collaborations are enriched by a breadth of experiences and insights that challenge conventional thinking and foster creativity, he said.

“Clearly innovation is the lifeblood of our country,” said Paul Dabbar, the DOE under secretary of energy. “But in order for innovation to continue we must have more innovation and that’s where this investment comes in.”

More students must be encouraged to pursue STEM careers, he said.

The donation could not come at a more important time, as the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened inequities in the nation’s education system, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in a recorded video.

“This STEM initiative will motivate and challenge central Washington students,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., in a recorded video.

Battelle, which has operated PNNL since 1965, has donated more than $28 million and logged more than 335,000 staff volunteer hours.

Its investments in the Tri-Cities area have included a $1.5 million contribution to create the Tri-Cities’ first STEM school, Delta High School, and more than $2 million for the Reach museum in Richland.

Battelle also helped found the Washington State STEM Education Foundation.