by Luke Putvin

On October 7, Congressman Rick Larsen visited Edmonds Community College to tour the area of the new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) building.

At nearly 70,000 square feet, the new building began construction about one year ago and is slated to be complete in 2020. The building will contain labs and classrooms for health, nursing, physics, chemistry, engineering and math.

“EDCC is a part of a very active community college system in the district that I get to represent… STEM education is a huge focus. We are really trying to both educate students from kindergarten through high school of the value of STEM education,” Congressman Larsen said. “Then our community colleges are that next step in STEM. The new building here at EDCC brings a focal point to STEM education in South Snohomish and North King counties.”

“It’s almost become a cliché to say that we have tens of thousands of unfilled jobs that rely on STEM education but aren’t producing the number of kids out of our college and university system,” Larsen began, “but it’s cliché because it’s true. It is important that EDCC is making this investment.”

“EDCC has been a great partner in the region for businesses and for high schools. One thing they’ve also done here is that EDCC has been active in pursuing National Science Foundation grants to give community college level students the opportunity to get involved with basic research. Something you’ve seen as common at a 4-year university is becoming more common at the community college level,” Larsen said.

For more information on the new STEM building, including concept design images and updates, visit www.edcc.edu/stembuilding/.