King's Schools to Celebrate Start of Construction of STEM Building June 11

King’s Schools, part of the CRISTA family of ministries, will celebrate the start of construction on a 27,000-plus square foot building dedicated to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) on June 11, 2012.  A 15-month construction phase will begin one week later (June 18) and conclude in time for the state-of-the-art “STEM Center” to open to King’s students in September 2013.

On June 11, all current King’s students and faculty will join donors, project vendors, CRISTA Senior Living residents, CRISTA Ministries staff and other assembled guests for a public celebration at 1 p.m. in Woolsey Stadium, located on the 56-acre CRISTA Ministries campus (19303 Fremont Ave. North in Shoreline, Wash.).  The 15 classrooms within the building will be the new home to as many as 27 different high school and junior high courses within the STEM fields. Local project partners include Mahlum Architects (design) and Kirtley Cole Associates, LLC (construction).  

“On behalf of King’s Schools, it is with great excitement and anticipation that we begin construction of the STEM Center,” said Eric Rasmussen, superintendent of King’s Schools.  “This building, made possible by the generosity of our donors, will inspire innovation and excellence in King’s students for generations to come.”

Added Bob Lonac, president & CEO of CRISTA Ministries: “This is a historic day for CRISTA Ministries and our King’s Schools ministry.  The incredible teachers and students that comprise the school will be well equipped to accomplish even greater achievements when the STEM Center opens its doors.”

Studies have shown that the United States now lags behind other nations in STEM education at the elementary and secondary levels.  A 2010 executive report by President Obama’s Council of Advisors included the following: “to meet our needs for a STEM-capable citizenry, a STEM-proficient workforce, and future STEM experts, the Nation must focus on two complimentary goals: We must equip all students to be proficient in STEM subjects.  And we must inspire students to learn STEM, and in the process, motivate many of them to pursue STEM careers.”

Established in 1950 as part of CRISTA, the mission of King’s Schools is to inspire hearts and equip minds for students ranging from preschool to 12th grade.