Students working on computer

New STEM BEST Opportunity to Expand Career-Linked Learning

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.

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Two students and a teacher participating in STEM Best education at their school.

STEM Council Welcomes 22 New STEM BEST Partners

The STEM Council welcomed 22 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program models for 2021. With the addition of 22 new partners, 80 programs have been created since STEM BEST launched in 2014. 

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2,000 educators participating in Storytime STEM-Packs training via Zoom.

Preparing Educators to Scale World-Class STEM this Fall

The STEM Council’s Scale-Up Program finds and delivers top STEM learning programs to nearly 100,000 young Iowa learners each year with impact that extends far beyond the traditional classroom.

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Blake Fehringer of Le Mars Community Schools worked at Interstates and Ayn Thoreson of Spencer High School worked at GKN this su

STEM Teacher Externs Translate Industry Experience to Classroom

As the 2021 STEM Teacher Externships Program winds down, 70 Iowa STEM Teacher Externs are preparing to incorporate their summer work experience into classrooms across Iowa this fall. 

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A graphic featuring the logo and two photos from the Future Ready Iowa: Transforming Education for the Workforce Summit.

Registration Opens for 2021 Future Ready Iowa: Transforming Education for the Workforce Summit

Registration is now open for the 2021 statewide Future Ready Iowa Summit focused on “Transforming Education for the Workforce” to be held on September 16, 2021, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

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Cover of report entitled "Building on Iowa's Vision for Computer Science Education"

Amplifying the "T" in STEM

Folks at the Iowa Capitol get it: computer science is right there with reading, writing and arithmetic when it comes to essentials for thriving in modern society. Whether at work, at home or at play, computer technology permeates every aspect of our lives.
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Storytime STEM-packs is one of twelve STEM Scale-Up Programs that will be implemented in classrooms across Iowa this fall.

STEM Scale-Up Program to Open a World of Possibility for 113,000+ Students This Fall

Now in its tenth year, more than 113,000 Iowa students will benefit from STEM Scale-Up Programming with nearly 2,000 educators across the state implementing the newly selected programs for the 2021-2022 academic year. Educators were able to apply for one or more programs with topics including coding, genetics, medicine, agriculture and mathematics. 
 
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West Branch High School Science Teacher Kristen Westpheling is completing a summer STEM Teacher Externship at Vectronic Aerospac

STEM Teachers Gain Valuable Summer Workplace Experience

Following a year of shutdowns and remote work scenarios, the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program has rebounded with 70 teacher externs partnering with local workplaces across Iowa to gain authentic work experiences that will translate into classroom instruction and career preparation.  
 
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New logos for STEM Scale-Up Program, the STEM BEST Program, the STEM Teacher Externship Program and the Iowa STEM Teacher Award.

STEM Council Launches Program Logos

“The success of Iowa’s STEM programs has earned them each a recognizable brand. New logos will help with consistent recognition and efficient communications as we expand opportunities to more students, families and communities, assuring that tomorrow STEMs from Iowa,” said Jeff Weld, Executive Director of the STEM Council.
 
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