New STEM BEST Opportunity to Expand Career-Linked Learning

Students working on computer
Students involved in the STEM BEST Program at St. Theresa School in Des Moines engage with local businesses partners on projects that allow meaningful and professional learning experiences.

Re-envisioning recyclable materials into usable products, developing entrepreneurial skills through student-run storefronts, taking on leadership roles at community and live events, simulating advanced manufacturing and healthcare experience through school business partnerships. These are a few of the many career-linked opportunities the STEM BEST Program is creating in Iowa.

Applications are now being accepted for schools to get involved in their own workplace experiences through the STEM BEST (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) Program. The program helps introduce students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa while also gaining career-ready skills.

The STEM BEST Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to develop a career-linked learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize the necessary skills for the workplace. The awards can be used for curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration, and preparing the career-linked learning environment.

The application is available to Iowa public and non-public school buildings and school districts serving students in grades K-12. The deadline for submitting applications is May 9, 2022.

The STEM Council has designated a portion of the state legislative funding to support the establishment of Iowa STEM BEST Program models across each of Iowa’s six STEM regions. Successful applicants will become an Iowa STEM BEST Program model of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. A total of 118 investments have been made in 131 schools to establish STEM BEST models.

Past STEM BEST Program award recipients are eligible to apply for expanding current programs. Award recipients for the 2022-2023 STEM BEST Program will be announced in summer 2022.

For more information about the STEM BEST Program or to submit an application for the program, visit www.iowastem.org/STEMBEST.

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