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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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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Waterloo Schools Executive Director of Professional Education Jeff Frost provides a tour of the Waterloo Career Center.

38 Schools to Advance Career-Linked Learning through STEM BEST H.D. Recognition

Thirty-eight school districts throughout Iowa have been recognized as STEM BEST H.D. (High Demand) models of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. This is the highest number of schools to be named as STEM BEST models since the program’s launch in 2014. STEM BEST H.D.

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Central Community School students take part in Clayton County STEM BEST Program.

STEM BEST Program Offers Network Supports

Career-Linked Learning (CLL) inspires passion in students to pursue high demand, high impact and high reward careers. Learning linked to fulfilling jobs through authentic experiences is what the STEM BEST Program provides more than 80 partners in Iowa schools.
 
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Waukee APEX, a STEM BEST Program model, offers a human services sector that is designed to give students a hands-on experience.

STEM BEST Program to Emphasize High Demand Careers

The STEM Council is focusing a special round of the STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program to help prepare students to enter job sectors that are in high demand, made possible by legislated support funding through the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
 
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High school students from Saint Albert Catholic Schools, a STEM BEST Program model, code with robotics.

STEM Council’s STEM BEST Program to Emphasize High Demand Job Sectors This Fall

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2021-2022 STEM BEST Program mentors play a critical role in supporting the expansion of work-based learning in Iowa.

STEM BEST Program Gets Boost from Expert Mentors

From resources and webinars to workshops and handbooks, the STEM Council provides a strong support system to assist STEM BEST Programs throughout the year. These supports are made possible through the valiant efforts of the team, including STEM Council Program Coordinator Tanya Hunt and the STEM BEST Program mentors.
 
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Graduates from the STEM Council’s STEM BEST Program models across Iowa cited these “lasting impressions” of their involvement.

Return on Investment for STEM BESTs

"STEM BEST has provided me the skills and techniques necessary to handle a large variety of problems in my life, as well as improved my social skills.

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Tips for implementing authentic learning for students through the STEM BEST Program.

Insider Look at Launching a STEM BEST Program

Authentic learning experiences allow students to gain important life skills at an early age, while equipping them for future education and employment opportunities. STEM BEST Program partner, Rachael Strong of North Fayette Valley, worked with Keystone Area Education Agency to develop a video about how to implement authentic learning for students through the STEM BEST Program.
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Students learning about robots

STEM BEST Application Opens

The STEM Council is now accepting applications for the STEM BEST (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) Program, which brings schools and businesses together to provide students with real workplace experiences while earning academic credits. The opportunity is available to Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12.

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The STEM Council and Iowa Workforce Development hosted a Webinar “The Scoop on High School Registered Apprenticeships."

Supporting Registered Apprenticeships in STEM

Inspiring Iowa’s young people to become innovative, enterprising contributors to our future workforce is part of the mission of the STEM Council. The STEM BEST Program and high school Registered Apprenticeships both work towards this goal and offer work-based experiences in preparation for future careers.
 
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