Part of this visit was covered by Cascadia Daily News:

• Bellingham students build an electric vehicle in first-of-its-kind class

Part of this visit was covered by The Bellingham Herald

• ‘Profound’: Mobile audiology van gives Bellingham students access to education

A photo album of the visit by BPS communications is available here:

• foundry10 visit to Bellingham Public Schools

For immediate release: 

foundry10 and Bellingham Public Schools team up for innovation, direct service for student health and support of the arts

BPS to showcase innovative programs during Oct. 28 visit from philanthropic partner

Bellingham, Wash. – Oct. 22, 2025 – Since 2022, foundry10, an education research organization with a philanthropic focus, has supported nearly $800,000 in teaching supplies and equipment for innovation and direct value to students in Bellingham Public Schools.

On Tuesday, October 28, a team from foundry10 will visit schools across BPS to see their investment in action.

Sustainable Engineering: Electric Vehicle Design class:

At Bellingham and Options high schools, the group will observe the new Sustainable Engineering: Electric Vehicle Design course, co-taught by Career and Technical Education teachers Paul Clement and Jenny Styer. This hands-on, project-based course takes students on an exciting journey through the cutting-edge world of electric vehicle design and green energy technology by building a complete, licensed-for-the-road electric car.

Mobile audiology clinic:

Next, audiologist Geeta Sawh will demonstrate the BPS mobile audiology clinic van in action with BPS students. Because challenges with hearing can have severe effects on students’ access to their education, state law requires in-school screening for all students’ hearing, with follow up and referrals as needed. However, families can encounter barriers to accessing care providers for their children. Our mobile audiology clinic aims to reduce those barriers by serving BPS students directly, with big goals to support other local school districts in the future. 

Instrument replacement and repair:

The visit will conclude at Jenny Rothnie’s music program at Shuksan Middle School. Students all over BPS are playing new and repaired instruments thanks to foundry10’s support for the fine arts, particularly for middle schools. Investing in school-owned instruments lowers barriers for students to participate in the fine arts, which has proven effects on students’ attendance, academic success, and sense of belonging and well-being at school. Across our schools, our music program received nearly $40,000 in new instruments, $3,000 in instrument repairs and $5,000 in instrument supplies like woodwind reeds. 

Over the years, foundry10’s support has also included vision, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language pathology.

“foundry10’s philanthropy has allowed our district to make innovation happen for our students,” Dr. Mike Copland, deputy superintendent, said. “Their generosity fills gaps and supports best practices to reduce barriers and increase access so all students can thrive.”

foundry10 is an education research organization with a philanthropic focus on expanding ideas about learning and creating direct value for youth. Their unique approach blends research, philanthropy, and education programs, allowing them and their partners like BPS to move quickly from uncovering insights to immediately providing value to young people, educators, and researchers.

For more information, please contact:

Bellingham Public Schools: Dana Smith, media liaison.
Phone: 360-676-6520, Email: dana.smith@bellinghamschools.org, 
Website: www.bellinghamschools.org 

foundry10: Wen Chiu, Communications Manager
Phone: 206-486-6269, Email: wen@foundry10.org
Website: foundry10.org