News

Fall Meeting of Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Marks Transition Period

Consistency through change was the message delivered by members, friends and allies of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at their bi-annual meeting on Monday, November 13, in room B100, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines. As Jeff Weld steps down from the post of executive director, smooth and swift leadership transition is a top concern among attendees.

STEM BEST Program community partners joined the BEST STEMposium to share perspectives on fostering workplace partnerships with schools.

STEM BEST Innovators Convene to Catalyze Change

Customized professional development, sharing of best practices and networking defined the 2023 BEST STEMposium.

Students participated in the STEM Scale-Up Program Daily Math Fluency at St. Anthony Catholic School in Des Moines during the 2022-2023 school year.

Calendar of Major STEM Events

The annual cycle of life for Iowa’s STEM Council is designed around reaching the overarching goals to increase interest and achievement in STEM studies and careers.

Educators took part in training for the 2022-2023 STEM Scale-Up Program Ready, Set, Drone. Scale-Up training for the coming academic is set to begin in July.

Top STEM Tools and Training Scaled to Educators Across Iowa

1,383 educators will be preparing for the upcoming academic year by attending STEM Scale-Up Program training this summer.

This summer, 82 Iowa teachers are spreading their wings into local STEM workplaces to gain work experiences that can be applied in the classroom.

Medical Centers and other Workplaces Host Summer Teacher-Externs

This summer, 82 brave and curious Iowa teachers are spreading their wings into local STEM businesses, nonprofits, government services and other workplaces to gain work experiences that can be applied in the classroom.

STEM Re-alignment Update from the Executive Director

The lead story in January’s STEM newsletter was about the prospect of integrating Iowa’s STEM organization with the Iowa Department of Education on July 1.

Kelly Giesemann and Steph Monahan, Dubuque High School biology teachers, participated in the STEM Teacher Externships Program with the Clinical and Professional Development Department at MercyOne in Dubuque, Iowa.

Teachers Answer "Why do a Summer Externship?"

It is quite a commitment for an Iowa teacher to block six weeks to experience a workplace that uses the skills and knowledge of the class they teach. Typically, teachers use summer to revise or create new courses, or to further their education, or to teach summer school or coach at a camp.

Ann Watts led the Microsoft Imagine Academy on behalf of the STEM Council since 2014.

Thank You for Advancing the T in STEM, Ann

The Microsoft Imagine Academy has bridged Iowa classrooms to the world of work through Microsoft Office training and certification opportunities.

Two Programs Earn STEM Seal of Approval

From robotics clubs and engineering events to coding programs and ballet performances, STEM can happen almost anywhere. The STEM Council established the STEM Seal of Approval to recognize and support non-Council programs and events that significantly advance STEM in Iowa.

Students from Okoboji Middle School share about their workplace experiences, lessons and ambitions through the STEM BEST Program No Boundaries at the 25th STEM Advisory Council meeting at Accumold in Ankeny.

What Do You Get From 70 STEM Leaders in a Room?

Inspiration. Evidence. Ideas. Future vision. Those were the outcomes of the 25th meeting of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council held in Ankeny on April 20.

Students from Hawthorne Elementary School in Keokuk who participated in the STEM Scale-Up Program Robot Investigations with Finch Robot reported more confidence with new technology and increased interest in computer science and robotics.

Keokuk Students Grow with Computer Science

Each year, STEM Scale-Up Program evaluation data indicates positive impact in students’ test scores, in interest in STEM subjects and in pursuing STEM careers.

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