Call for Employer-Hosts for Summer Teacher

Business and industry partners have helped grow and develop the next generation of high-demand workers through the STEM Teacher Externships Program.
Business and industry partners have helped grow and develop the next generation of high-demand workers through the STEM Teacher Externships Program.

Each summer, the STEM Council matches some of Iowa’s most talented STEM educators with Workplace Hosts and helps build partnerships that enhance the workplace and the community’s future workforce. The STEM Teacher Externships Program builds bridges between Iowa workplaces and schools by equipping teachers with work experiences directly connected to classroom content. STEM Teacher Externs work alongside skilled and knowledgeable employees for six weeks during the summer for an immersive experience that increases productivity, brings new perspectives and enhances the bottom line of workplace host organizations. Externship workplace hosts consistently monetize the value of the project(s) completed by STEM Teacher Externs between $2,501-$10,000.

More than 700 STEM Teacher Externships have taken place since 2009 with more than 200 workplace partners. It is a model that has been replicated across the country and many workplace partners have lauded the great productivity of STEM Teacher Externs.

“The difference of the professionalism of the externship was very apparent. We learned that an externship is different than a regular internship. An Extern has been in the workforce and does not need the extra guidance an internship sometimes requires,” said Jeni Kolsrud, Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative IT manager. “Because of the success, we already have projects lined up for our next Externship partner.”

Each STEM Teacher Externship experience is different and matched to the interest of the Workplace Host and the STEM Teacher Extern. The STEM Council is seeking Workplace Hosts for the 2023 STEM Teacher Externships Program. For more information or to complete an interest form, visit www.IowaSTEM.org/externships.

To Top