This week, Natalie and Tiffany chatted with Susan Holveck, Portland-area STEM educator extraordinaire, to learn more about the intricacies of curriculum design in STEM in Oregon. 

Dr. Susan Holveck began her science career with a BS in Genetics from The Ohio State and continued to earn an MS in Genetics and Cellular Biology from Washington State. After graduating, while living in Ithaca and raising a family, she had many pursuits: director of a low income day care center, founding a sewing cooperative for low income women, starting a baking business, and developed a children's line of clothing. Upon moving to Portland, Dr. Holveck pursued a Master’s in Teaching through Pacific University. She was a teacher at Conestoga Middle School, a founder of the Summa program (for highly gifted children in Beaverton), and received her Doctorate in Educational Methodology. She became a Science Specialist for the Beaverton School District, and a Program Administrator for K-12 Science in Portland Public Schools. She is continuing to work with the Portland Metro STEM Partnership on the Statewide High School Science Curriculum known as the “Patterns Approach.”

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