News Highlights
Invention Club expands accross middle schools in Lane County
Connected Lane County will expand its Invention Club to middle schools across the County. Invention Club is a STEM-based learning program in collaboration with Oregon MESA that culminates in a MESA showcase. Check it out in the news! Portland State University: Oregon MESA Expands with Two New Regional Centers in Washington County and Lane Countyby…
Read MoreKMTR News Coverage: STEM Opportunities in Schools
Connected Lane County received $5,000 in grant money from the Pacific Power Foundation to expand Invention Club, a STEM-based learning experience, into Lincoln Middle School in Cottage Grove. To learn more about the story, check out the KMTR news coverage below! “STEM opportunities coming to Cottage Grove School thanks to $5K grant” by Dannie Condon.
Read MoreDirect Cash Transfers as Prevention News
Connected Lane County piloted Direct Cash Transfers for Lane County youth. See the news coverage below! KLCC Executive Director Heidi Larwick and Program Lead Annie Dropek (pictured above) sit down with KLCC Reporter Michael Dunne to discuss Connected Lane County’s pilot program for Direct Cash Transfers to prevent youth homelessness. Listen to the interview to…
Read MoreEWEB Industry Tour News Coverage
In March 2024, Connected Lane County coordinated a tour of EWEB’s facility. Dozens of youth from schools across Lane County came to EWEB to explore the Utility Service Industry. The high school youth learned about various high-wage, high-demand jobs and saw how a large utility company like EWEB operates. The youth visited various stations and…
Read MoreEndless Mileage Project News Coverage
The Agency worked with Endless Mileage to create new tree tags that display athletes’ finishing times. The Endless Mileage is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable environments and programming that inspires the next generation of track and field athletes to break barriers. Read more!
Read MoreActing U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su and Congresswoman Val Hoyle visit Connected Lane County’s Spark at Booth-Kelly
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Connected Lane County hosted the Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, and Congresswoman, Val Hoyle, to provide a tour of Spark at Booth-Kelly and a roundtable discussion with program youth about their experiences at Connected Lane County. It was a wonderful experience for youth and industry partners to share…
Read MoremarketingJAM makes waves in a three-day weekend competition
marketingJAM, the three-day marketing competition, wrapped up a successful showcase! We had 12 teams and saw competitors from Bethel, Creswell, Junction City, Siuslaw, Springfield, and 4J. Teams took on real-world challenges from local nonprofits, including Springfield Education Foundation, Lane Workforce Partnership, City Club of Eugene, and Positive Community Kitchen. Marmalade Marketeers from Creswell High School…
Read MoreGovernor Kotek Visits Spark at Booth-Kelly
On Thursday, December 14, we had some special visitors! Governor Tina Kotek and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson toured Spark at Booth-Kelly as part of Governor Kotek’s One Oregon Listening Tour! Koteck met with program youth, staff, and local leaders to learn about barriers youth in our community face. Our director, Heidi Larwick, shared a…
Read MorecodeORcreate a Three-Day Youth Technology Competition Ends With a Weekend Showcase
codeORcreate is an annual three-day youth technology competition. Connected Lane County hosted 48 youth from 13 schools and 7 school districts. The youth had three days to create a tech-based solution to community problems and were paired with tech mentors. At the end of the weekend, youth got to present their projects to a panel…
Read MoreConnected Lane County Hosts Career Exploration Event for Middle Schoolers
In early November 2023, Connected Lane Couty hosted its Career Expo event to provide youth access to different career fields. Click this link to read KEZI 9’s article.
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