Lunchtime LEVinars

Welcome to Lunchtime LEVinars, free, interactive, online webinars on important and timely issues hosted by the League of Education Voters (LEV). These lunchtime webinars are designed to share information and build knowledge about the issues at the core of LEV’s policy priorities.

LEV will host each 30 to 60-minute webinar, which will include a 20–30 minute presentation by an expert from the field and 10 minutes of Q&A. Each webinar will be recorded and archived on our website.

Most Recent LEVinar

Bridging the STEM Gap: How Science on Wheels Drives Hands-on Science Learning Across Washington

Join us for an inspiring look at Science on Wheels, Pacific Science Center’s flagship outreach program and Washington’s largest provider of outreach science education. Since 1974, Science on Wheels has brought interactive, standards-based STEM programming to youth across Washington. This past year, Science on Wheels served over 116,000 learners across 48 legislative districts — 87% of these programs provided at little to no cost in low-income schools and community centers.

With only 55% of Washington students meeting standards on the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), it’s more important than ever to invest in science education. In this webinar, we explore how Science on Wheels is making hands-on science learning accessible, fun, and engaging. Hear from educators who share how their classrooms benefited from the program, with students actively engaged in scientific practices like experimentation, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning.

We also discuss the program’s ambitious goal to provide free STEM learning to every K–8 low-income school in Washington, and how legislative support is crucial to providing direct support for 52,000+ students in 2027. Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, funder, or STEM advocate, this session shows how mobile science education can be a game-changer for equity and engagement.

Meet the panelists:

• Patricia Beathard, Superintendent of the Brinnon School District and Executive Board Member of the West Sound STEM Network
• Shawn Kocher, Principal of Woodmont K-8 in Federal Way Public Schools
• Jennifer Malwitz, STEAM Specialist at Robertson Elementary in the Yakima School District
• Holly Duskin, Senior Manager of Outreach Education at Pacific Science Center
• Braden Sigua, Government Affairs Manager at Pacific Science Center

Moderated by Arik Korman, CEO of League of Education Voters.

Watch Now (captioning is available in English, Spanish, and Somali)

• Advocate for Science on Wheels

Upcoming LEVinars

FutureReady: Modernizing Washington’s High School Diploma for a Changing World

Is Washington’s high school diploma preparing students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world?

Throughout 2025, the Washington State Board of Education has been exploring this question through FutureReady, a statewide effort to modernize high school graduation requirements.

In this free webinar, members of the State Board and FutureReady partners will share what they’ve learned so far from students, families, educators, and community organizations across Washington. Together, they will cover:

• How FutureReady is identifying the academic knowledge and real-world skills students need to succeed in today’s world.
• Where Washington’s current graduation framework falls short in meeting students’ needs, and how it can be made easier to navigate and more meaningful for every student.
• The work ahead as the Board develops its proposal for the legislature’s 2027 session.
• How the public can engage in the process and provide input.

Meet the Panelists:

• Abby Wu, a senior at Pullman High School in the Pullman School District and a Student Board Member, Washington State Board of Education
• Jen Chong Jewell, Board Member, Washington State Board of Education
• Nicol Walsh, FutureReady Task Force member and Communications Specialist at PAVE – Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment
• Alissa Muller, Director of Policy, Washington State Board of Education
• Arielle Matthews, Associate Director of Policy, Washington State Board of Education

Moderated by Arik Korman, CEO of League of Education Voters.

Spanish interpretation and English closed captioning will be available.

Thursday, December 18, 2025
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Register Now

What to Expect in the 2026 Washington state Legislative Session

The budget deficits Washington state is facing, in addition to the uncertainty of federal funding in the coming years, could devastate many programs and services critical to the well-being of our students. In the 2026 legislative session, we must prioritize student needs by ensuring equitable access to essential school supports, such as mental health resources, special education services, and postsecondary opportunities. Students of color, students with disabilities, students gaining English proficiency, students experiencing homelessness, and others historically marginalized by school systems face the greatest risks and bear the deepest burdens of inequities caused by funding shortfalls.

In this free webinar, League of Education Voters Chief Policy Officer Jacob Vela and government relations consultant Carey Morris, along with LEV partners, will give an overview of the 2026 legislative landscape, outline our priorities for the 2026 legislative session, and answer your questions.

Meet the Panelists:

• Members of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Aaron Yared, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Building Changes
• Andrea Kadlec, Attorney at Disability Rights Washington
• Fernando Mejia Ledesma, Campaign Director at Communities for Our Colleges
• Ruben Flores, Executive Director of the Washington State Council of Presidents
• Dr. Soleil Boyd, Executive Director of Children’s Alliance
• Dr. Terri Standish-Kuon, President & CEO at Independent Colleges of Washington

Moderated by Arik Korman, CEO of League of Education Voters.

Spanish interpretation and English closed captioning will be available.

Thursday, January 8, 2026
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Register Now

Previous LEVinars

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