The STEM Council focuses on helping grow the next generation of innovators and makers. Those attributes are at the heart of this month’s MVP for Iowa STEM, Teri Vos, Community Relations Manager for Vermeer Corporation. Vos has actively served on the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council since 2015. In this time, she has participated in several STEM events, speaking engagements and panels focused on STEM in Iowa.
A High School Registered Apprenticeship Playbook was launched earlier this year at the Governor’s press conference held at the Career Academy of Pella. The playbook was based on the process of implementing a high school Registered Apprenticeship program, similar to the local welding Registered Apprenticeship program offered through the Career Academy of Pella. Vos was integral in developing the program and compiling the Playbook along with the Career Academy of Pella, the U.S. Department of Labor, Des Moines Area Community College, the STEM Council and others.
Vos is also involved in a variety of STEM-related working groups and programs. She is on the core committee for the Women in Manufacturing group through Vermeer Corporation, which engages local students and schools through events and STEM festivals.
“The STEM Council does a wonderful job of helping make connections that carry the STEM message forward,” Vos said. “At Vermeer, we are receiving more requests for job shadows and internships than ever before. We have more interest coming in, due in part to the groundwork of the STEM Council.”
Vermeer Corporation has been a teacher intern host, a contributing STEM corporate partner, a past STEM Day at the Fair exhibiting partner and hosts independent STEM opportunities at their facilities. On site at Vermeer, they host an annual Manufacturing Day event for youth to participate in hands-on STEM activities and learn about manufacturing careers there.
The STEM Council would like to thank Teri and Vermeer, along with all members of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, for their many contributions which impact thousands of Iowans each year.