South Wasco County Schools Transform Students Into Problem Solvers
By Andrew Cutler
About twice a month, educators Jamie Sowell and Jorma Henson choose a clear night to bring a telescope onto the football field at South Wasco County High School.
They’re not just stargazing. They’re hunting for trans-Neptunian objects— distant rocks orbiting beyond Neptune that occasionally blink out a star as they pass in front of it. The information they collect is sent to researchers across North America who use it to map the outer solar system.
“I love that we are able to contribute to real science by collecting real data that will be used to figure out a little more about our universe,” says Jamie, the district’s director of technology and career and technical education teacher. “Over the years, we have had various students help with occultations as well.”
The search for trans-Neptunian objects is the type of real-world science central to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics education at South Wasco County School District. The students in a town of fewer than 500 people secure access to opportunities that would make larger schools envious. From VEX Robotics competitions to computer numerical control machining and dual-credit computer science courses, the district has built a comprehensive STEAM and CTE program that’s altering student futures in Maupin, 1 of Oregon’s most remote communities.
“I find great value in people making things,” says Jorma, who teaches physics, chemistry, biology and CTE courses. “I have always been a maker myself. I see many students throughout our country, let alone within South Wasco County, who could benefit from an education that is rooted in practical application.”
The program didn’t happen overnight. Nearly 2 decades of dedicated work— including grant writing, creative problem-solving and educators who refused to let geography limit what their students could achieve—played a key role in its success.
Jamie arrived at South Wasco 18 years ago after teaching English in Japan, where he learned teaching is part acting, part improvisation. After earning his master’s degree in advanced mathematics education from Oregon State University, he noticed something missing. In 2009, only about 65% of U.S. high schools offered computer science courses.
The numbers were worse for small public schools in Oregon.
From Math Class to Manufacturing
So, Jamie taught himself. In 2011, he and colleague Jim Popchock founded CogNation, the district’s STEAM club. They competed in First Tech Challenge robotics, Gravity Games Soap Box Derby races, and Wind Challenge. Over 9 years, they secured more than $35,000 in grants.
In 2018, Jamie became the district’s director of technology, allowing him to focus on offering computer science, video production and computer-aided design. In 2019, the CTE effort accelerated when Jorma arrived as the new science teacher. Jorma carried an unusual background for a rural educator. He worked in aerospace manufacturing, operated his own construction firm, and spent more than a decade in fields ranging from material selection to welding and machining. He also participated in the prestigious Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program during his mechanical engineering studies at Oregon State University.
“Transitioning to education made sense to me,” Jorma says. “This was my chance to give back to our community and make a difference for the youth coming after me.” Together, Jamie and Jorma started South Wasco’s manufacturing CTE program of study, opening the school to new classes and state funding. They’ve received 2 CTE Revitalization grants totaling $253,961, plus about $120,000 in additional grants over the past 4 years.
Students Building Their Own Future
Today, about 65 students at South Wasco High School participate in STEAM programs. The offerings include welding, computer numerical control machining, metal fabrication, woodworking, construction technology, automotive fabrication, electrical and mechanical engineering, product design, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, computer science and agriculture. The school also has a makerspace with laser engravers, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and a freeze dryer.
Students don’t just use the equipment. They created the program itself. Using their construction, electrical, and welding skills, they physically constructed classrooms, installed networks and computer labs, and built equipment.
“Everything we do is student-built,” Jorma says.
Jamie’s dual-credit Computer Science 160 course through Columbia Gorge Community College runs every other year. Jorma teaches Electrical Engineering Technology 111 through the college’s College Now dual credit program. The course has sent numerous students into electrical-related trades, from the electrical union and lineworker school to electrical engineering at Columbia Gorge Community College and Oregon State University. The welding program is gaining traction as well, with several students heading to such schools as Western Welding Academy after graduation. “I am not your science or shop teacher,” Jorma tells students. “I am your science coach. I am your construction coach. I am your welding coach. I can start with educating them, but the students have to go out and use the skills to solve problems, to compete, to drive change in their own lives. I cannot do it for them. They have to win at life with me cheering them on as they go."
The method works. After graduation, Katherine Popchock became an aviation engineer who works remotely from anywhere in the world. Madalyn Gragg is finishing a master’s degree and considering a PhD in engineering. Kylee Kunze graduated a year early and excels in Columbia Gorge Community College’s renewable energy program. “Her mind thought in CAD and was able to desig
Overcoming Rural Challenges
Operating a wide-ranging STEAM program in a town this small requires persistent ingenuity. Jamie has been directly involved in securing about $220,000 in grants during his tenure, from small $2,000 awards from the Oregon Technology Outreach Program and Google to 6-figure CTE Revitalization grants. Jamie says the biggest challenges are funding and time.
“We spend time writing grants, plus if we want to run a meeting or have an activity, there are only a few of us to do it,” he says.
When Jamie took the job, he wanted to teach for a few years in a rural setting, then move to a larger community where he could earn more and teach more advanced classes.
“My thoughts were to move up to a larger district, but I realized I was happy teaching and raising my kids here,” Jamie says. “I felt like I could make more of a difference in the lives of students when they often do not have as much.”
He stocks the STEAM club with mozzarella sticks, mini frozen pizzas, burritos and fresh fruit—spending much of his coaching stipend on snacks each year. “In this day and age, many students are happy doom scrolling on their phones for 3 to 5 hours a day,” Jamie says. “We have to have an alternative that is fun, exciting—and the food doesn’t hurt.”
Community partnerships are critical. The Columbia Gorge STEAM Hub, High Desert Education Service District and Gorge Technology Alliance connect schools with industry. Columbia Gorge Community College instructors support South Wasco students. Oregon Science Teachers Association helps develop curriculum.
Students trained in electrical engineering and the trades are well positioned to work for companies like Wasco Electric Cooperative.
“Without reliable electricity to our school district, or the houses around us, we are not able to run our programs, let alone develop new amazing technology,” Jorma says about the importance of Wasco Electric Cooperative’s service.
As a member-owned cooperative, WEC aligns with the program’s philosophy. “I love the idea of companies being member-owned,” Jamie says. “This allows decision-making to bring more focus to the community they serve instead of their stockholders somewhere.”
Looking Ahead
Both teachers dream bigger. They want South Wasco’s STEAM programs to operate as a small business where students improve the community, and to become a resource center where residents can prototype ideas and access equipment
“I would make our community a service center for people who don’t have access to equipment and materials that they need to achieve their goals,” Jorma says. “I would make our school a true makerspace.”
For now, the focus is on durable skills— leadership, communication, adaptability, teamwork and critical thinking. The men quote the late Louis Nizer, a prominent trial lawyer, author and artist: “A person who works with their hands is a laborer; a person who works with their hands and their brain is a craftsman; but a person who works with their hands and their brain and their heart is an artist.”
“I want our students to be artists,” Jorma says. “I want our students to use their hands and their minds and their hearts to make this world a better place by solving problems and being problem solvers.”
Jamie earned the 2024 Gorge Technology Alliance STEAM Educator of the Year award, bringing $1,000 to the STEAM club. Yet his favorite recognition comes from students.
“The best compliments I would get from students during graduation were when they would say something like, ‘I still hate math, but I appreciate you and your class,’” Jamie says.