KMTR 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.

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Meet Kira, our August youth highlight!

Kira, a Cottage Grove High School graduate, found Connected Lane County during her senior year and has been involved in both Navigate and Elevate programming! Kira has participated in various events, including Wonder Wednesday, Job Fairs, Elevate Job Shadows, Wonder Week, and work experiences.   “I’ve always had great fun at these events. I got to…

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Meet Danica, our July Youth Highlight!

Meet Danica (she/they), our July youth highlight! Danica is a recent high school graduate actively participating in Summer Internships, Industry Tours, and DevNW Financial Classes! She learned about Connected Lane County through their career coordinator at Pleasant Hill High School, Kathy Duval, and participated in the 2023 Summer Internships before signing up for additional programming!…

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Meet Julio, our June Youth Highlight!

Julio speaking at the Spark Program Fundraiser.

Julio is a rising senior at Springfield High School who has been involved with Connected Lane County for over two years. He started with Invention Club, an after-school program, in the spring of 2022, and that experience led him to participate in the summer cohort of Invention Lab. After completion of Invention Lab, Julio was…

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May Young Adult Highlight: Meet Jaiden! 

Photo of Jaiden.

Jaiden (she/her) has been an engaged Connected Lane County community member since joining the Navigate Program in July of 2022. Jaiden has faced challenges and barriers to employment and has demonstrated significant professional and personal growth throughout her time with us.  To learn more about her story, read her interview below!  What Connected Lane County…

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EWEB Industry Tour News Coverage

Students at EWEB tour.

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…

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Meet Leo, our April youth highlight!

Leo Youth Highlight 2024

Meet Leo, our April Youth Highlight!  Leo (they/them) has been a Connected Lane County participant since the summer of 2023 when they were a Summer Intern! Leo was placed at Volunteers in Medicine and learned more about what a career in health care would look like.  This internship gave them insight into the mental health…

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Endless 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!

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Meet Mars, our March Youth Highlight!

Mars taking a selfie with Governor Tina Kotek and Julio.

Mars’ pronouns: Any Meet our STEM Superstar, Mars! While enrolled in the Migrant Education Oregon program at Hamlin Middle School, Mars learned about Connected Lane County’s BIPOC STEM program, Invention Club. Mars participated in 2021, and using limited materials, her team created a catapult to launch an item into a target. Mars’ group won first…

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Youth Highlight: Elliott

Elliott in front of Connected Lane County Signage.

Elliott has been an engaged member of the Connected Lane County community since August 2023. Elliott appreciates the inclusive and welcoming environment at Spark locations, where they can unwind, access support, and engage in various activities. To learn more about Elliott’s story, read their interview below! How did you find Connected Lane County, and what…

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