PIE helps create meaningful education memories
Published 10:17 am Thursday, September 4, 2025
In late June, Vashon High School teachers Kate Dunagan and Kathleen Regovich used a Vashon Partners in Education (PIE) grant to host a collaborative presentation with scientists in the classroom.
Dunagan, who teaches jewelry making, and Regovich, a chemistry teacher, designed the program to increase STEM instruction to technical-education students and to provide chemistry students with the opportunity to learn about real-world chemistry applications.
The guest teachers — Dr. Joshua Marceau and Natalia Batchenkova, who are both scientists and metallurgists, brought deep expertise with chemistry and metallurgy.
Before working as a silversmith and as an educator of science and art, Marceau worked as a biomedical research scientist and virologist for the National Institutes of Health and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
Batchenkova is a doctoral student specializing in infectious disease and immunology who assisted in the set up of a bio-safety laboratory research program at the University of Arkansas.
During their joint residency at Vashon High School, Marceau and Batchenkova performed live demonstrations of the reactivity of various metals to heat and chemicals, focusing on the chemical reactivity of silver, copper, zinc and their alloys.
In the first demonstration, the scientists etched a copper sheet using the acid ferric chloride. The acid deoxidized metal and stripped copper ions off the surface of a metal plate to permanently etch artistic designs into the surface of the metal.
The second demonstration showed how to electroplate copper pennies with zinc — demonstrating how iron can be a source of electrons that can turn copper ions back into solid copper.
In addition to showing the properties of several metals, the simple laboratory exercises fit with the chemistry program’s use of modeling to connect macroscopic observations to microscopic thinking about atoms and molecules. And at the end of class, students had the chance to questioned Marceau and Batchenkova about their work.
Guest experts such as these enhance the classroom experience by showing students what’s possible in their careers and interests, and by giving students a chance to speak with people they might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.
Funding the learning project was “a perfect PIE grant,” said PIE President Karen Boyle.
“The guest teachers were both accomplished research scientists, studying both viruses and other contagious diseases — and working in metallurgy. Both young and engaging, they probably inspired a few students to think about a career in science or art — or both disciplines,” she said.
PIE strives to enhance the learning environment in Vashon’s public schools, and funds activities and materials requested by those closest to the educational process – teachers and educators.
PIE, a nonprofit, historically spends around 85-90% of its donations on grants. The difference goes towards its administrative expenses. It is a 100% grassroots, volunteer organization. For 38 years, PIE supporters have donated over $1.9 million dollars and helped PIE fund more than 1,600 grants to teachers, staff and students in all grade levels of Vashon’s schools, including Student and Family Link.
PIE grants fund classroom enhancements, including field trips, art projects, science equipment, elective materials, guest lecturers, and new books. PIE grants also support Vashon Artists in Schools and Science in School programs.
The kind of learning opportunities provided by PIE are so worthy of support. Islanders’ tax-deductible contribution to PIE now will support other creative teacher grants this fall.
Find out more and donate online at vashonpie.org, or mail a check to PO Box 1645 on Vashon.
Marie Koltchak is a Partners in Education board member.
