Iowa educators prepare DNA samples for testing for the gene that determines how their taste buds sense cilantro.

K-12 STEM Excellence Begins in Summer

Two thousand Iowa educators have fanned out across the state in small groups this summer to get better at teaching STEM. From Sukup Hall at Iowa State University to Cline Hall at Drake, from Southwestern Community College at Red Oak to Schindler Hall at the University of Northern Iowa, from Keystone AEA to the Cherokee Yacht Club, and ninety-five more in-person and virtual gatherings.

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117 Iowans attended the 2022 CSTA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Iowa Teachers Broaden Momentum for Computer Science Education

As a new basic skill, the demand for computer science education is rapidly growing. To enhance and support the advancement of computer science education in Iowa schools, the STEM Council and Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Iowa partnered to send 117 Iowans to attend the 2022 CSTA Annual Conference.

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Des Moines Christian Science Teacher Marc Pedersen took part in a STEM Teacher Externship Program at Kemin Industries.

STEM Teacher Externship Translates into Classroom Experience with Greater Community Impact

Marc Pedersen, science teacher at Des Moines Christian School, partnered with Kemin Industries for the 2022 STEM Teacher Externship Program. During his six-week experience, he extracted molecules from plants and analyzed the data.

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Register today for the 2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit

2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit Announced

The 2022 statewide Future Ready Iowa Summit: All Options on the Table will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

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Students paired with community and business volunteers to work on real-world projects using their makerspace.

Twelve Schools Grow Workplace Experience through STEM BEST Program

The STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council drives partnerships of K-12 schools and community employers.

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80 Iowa teachers were matched with local STEM workplaces through the STEM Teach Externships Program in 2022.

80 Iowa Teachers to Bring World of Work to Iowa Classrooms

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.

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CAM South Elementary students learn about Light and Shadow, a 2021-2022 STEM Scale-Up Program.

Educators Gear Up for STEM Scale-Up Programs

Nearly 2,000 educators are expected to attend professional development training on 13 selected STEM Scale-Up Programs during the next month. More than 112,000 Iowa students, grades PreK through 12, will have the opportunity to engage with these 13 high-quality STEM experiences in-school, afterschool and in other educational settings.

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The BEST STEMposium offered a collaborative professional development experience for STEM BEST Programs.

Forging Connections and Opportunities through BEST STEMposium

More than 70 educators, administrators and business partners of STEM BEST Programs across the state attended the first-ever BEST STEMposium, held at the University of Northern Iowa. The event fostered meaningful conversations with STEM BEST Program leaders to enhance career-linked learning in communities across Iowa.

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