80 Iowa Teachers to Bring World of Work to Iowa Classrooms

80 Iowa teachers were matched with local STEM workplaces through the STEM Teach Externships Program in 2022.
Susan Clark Junior High School Computer Science Teacher Casey Edkin is a 2022 STEM Teacher Extern at HNI in Muscatine where he works on preparing, modeling and 3D printing parts.

A total of 80 teachers from across Iowa were matched with local STEM workplaces through the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program. These teachers will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with industry professionals and experience workplace scenarios to apply to school courses.

Projects range across career field and subject area, including: Susan Clark Junior High School Computer Science Teacher Casey Edkin preparing, modeling and 3D printing parts at HNI using multiple machines available in this facility; MFL MarMac Algebra Teacher Madyson Larson working with McGregor Municipal Utilities to evaluate and improve their current solar policy; Madrid High School Mathematics Teacher Bob Grant working at Pratum in Ankeny with the Security Operations Center team to use statistical analytics for risk assessments and apply refined logic to enhance the results for clients.

Meghan Lang, Program Coordinator, stated the program has organized more than 750 externship experiences since 2009 when the program was first launched.

“These partnerships between teachers and workplaces highlight the vital role that STEM plays in today’s workforce and emphasizes the skills required in a workplace setting,” said Meghan Lang. “It’s been rewarding to see many educators and extern hosts come together to elevate classroom experiences and open their eyes to career opportunities here in Iowa.”

The program started in 2009 and this is the 12th year the Council has administered the program. 

For more information about Iowa STEM Teacher Externships, visit http://www.iowastem.org/Externships or view a map of all the externships taking place this summer. 

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