News

Iowa youth gain awareness and excitement for STEM through STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair, among other events and programs led by the STEM Council each year.

Letter from Executive Director

Dear Iowa STEM Community,

NASA Astronaut Colonel Raja Chari shared future-ready guidance to Iowans at the 2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit in Des Moines.

Future Ready Iowa Summit - All Options on the Table

More than 600 Iowans registered for the 2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit – All Options on the Table to ask and to answer the most challenging questions facing our edu-nomic future.

“It’s our job to push our educational innovation to new heights,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in her opening remarks as she encouraged all participants to take one idea from the Summit and put it into action.

Fairgoers flooded the Grand Concourse to participate in hands-on STEM activities during STEM Day at the Fair.

STEM Activities Engage Families at Iowa State Fair

From traditional fair experiences of farm animals, food on a stick and talent shows to innovative STEM activities including robots, virtual reality tennis and aquaponics, the 2022 STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair had something for everyone.

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.

Educators and students participated in STEM Day at the Capitol on February 9.

Exciting Innovations in Education Exhibited at STEM Day at the Capitol

STEM Council programming drives an interdisciplinary approach to STEM education that helps students develop technical and intellectual skills to make connections from the classroom to the world of work. STEM careers with Iowa business and industry make this core discipline a vital economic development driver.

Students and families can take part in exciting STEM activities throughout summer.

Enjoy Summertime with STEM

There are many STEM opportunities available this summer to engage minds in learning while having fun. The STEM Council Network Team offers a variety of virtual and in-person, hands-on learning opportunities, including the upcoming events below:

Roger Hargens, former STEM Council co-chair, provides remarks at the 2019 STEM Day at the State Fair.

Save the Date for Upcoming STEM Events

Every year, the STEM Council hosts various events that engage Iowans and advance STEM initiatives across the state. Last year, in-person events were reimagined out of caution and safety measures.

Grab a pencil and mark your calendars! Exciting STEM events are on the horizon to be held safely in person once again. Check out the upcoming events below:

STEM Council team members were in the Capitol Rotunda sharing STEM’s return on investment as part of STEM Day at the Capitol.

Sharing Impact at STEM Day at the Capitol

A scaled-back, health-secured STEM Day at the Capitol was held on February 17.

Virtual webinar to check in with participants of the Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Workshop.

Webinar Supports Council Equity Priority

Following the Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Workshop in June, the first of three follow-up webinars was held in mid-September.

Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Rhonda McCarthy shared a lesson about growing plants in space for STEM Day at the Fair.

Nothing Compares to Virtual STEM Day at the Fair

Earlier this summer, the Iowa State Fair Board voted to postpone the 2020 Iowa State Fair until August 12-22, 2021. In order to protect the health and safety of nearly one million expected fair goers, the Iowa State Fair was entirely virtual this year. Each day embraced a new theme with sponsors, activities, photos, videos or contests.

Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Workshop

Improving Equity in STEM Teaching and Learning

The year 2020 has offered many opportunities for reflection, learning and growth. In June, the STEM Council was honored to host a virtual workshop on Equity in the STEM Classroom, facilitated by Aris Winger, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Mathematics Enrichment for Diversity and Learning (MEDAL).