STEM Program Providers Scale Up

Teachers participated in Scale-Up Program professional development with Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design (ILED) over the summer.
Teachers participated in Scale-Up Program professional development with Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design (ILED) over the summer in preparation for program implementation during the current academic year.

Each year, the STEM Council seeks to provide top STEM education opportunities to all learners. With the intent to seed, jumpstart or expand little-known and exemplary programs proven to inspire and educate PreK-12 students, the STEM Scale-Up Program selects outstanding STEM programs through a rigorous review process.

Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design (ILED) was one of 13 programs featured on the Scale-Up Program menu for the current academic year. Ken Turner, professor of science education at the University of Dubuque and program director for ILED, shared, “Our first application was not accepted, but that application had been well-received. It is just a very competitive process. We paid close attention to the feedback provided by the reviewers of our application and our second application was accepted.”

Each program on the Scale-Up Program menu must provide professional development to help educators prepare for and effectively teach the programs to Iowa youth. “Iowa is a large state with many diverse communities,” said Turner. “We are glad to provide the educators of Iowa STEM support through engineering design activities that engage students and are as unique as every school district, community center, extension office and educational pathway across Iowa.”

To potential Scale-Up Program providers, Turner said, “If you have or can develop a program that benefits educators and their students, you should pursue the Iowa STEM Scale-Up. It is an incredible opportunity to impact the next generation, to enlarge their horizons, to keep Iowa and Iowa citizens competitive in every arena and to make the world a better place.”

Learn more about the Scale-Up Program at www.iowastem.org/Scale-Up.

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