News

50 Years of Meeting Students Where They Are at Metro High School

On May 30 METRO High School in Cedar Rapids celebrated its 50th Anniversary. To commemorate the day, a one-of-a-kind tree planting was a part of the celebration as METRO High School is the recipient of one of NASA's Artemis Moon Trees.

Spotlight on Regional STEM Hub Institutions

Leaders from each of Iowa’s six Regional STEM Hub institutions were recently convened for the first time in the STEM Council’s history by the Council’s operations team, hosted at Drake University. Topics of conversation included an assessment of processes and progress, mechanics of the partnership, goal-setting and best practices sharing.

Youth participates in hands-on activity at STEM Day at the Fair

STEM and the Arts

A STEM Council working group was established years ago to pave the way for enriched integration of Arts and STEM and provide enhanced learning experiences and economic opportunities for Iowans.

Scores of Iowa students compared to students nationwide

Mathematics as a Magnet to STEM

America’s Strategy for STEM Education maps out the Federal Government’s five-year plan for STEM education to help position the United States as a global leader in STEM literacy, innovation and employment.

Ashley Mitchell completed an Externship with the Iowa National Guard

Employers, Now is the Time to Plan for 2020 STEM Teacher Externship

Work-based learning offers valuable experience for today’s students to gain knowledge and training for future workforce opportunities. For teachers too, the STEM Teacher Externship Program helps connect classrooms to careers through the immersion of STEM educators in workplace settings for six weeks in the summer.

Students enjoy hands-on STEM activities.

Family STEM Festivals Spark Interest in STEM

Family STEM Festivals appeal to families in communities across Iowa for the fun-filled and educational atmosphere. From virtual welding and testing chemical reactions to robotics and medical simulations, Family STEM Festivals are exciting and enjoyable for all ages.

Educators test out resource tools and materials for potential use in the classroom.

Elementary Schools Prepare to Implement Computer Science in the Classroom

Twelve schools are leading the way for computer science instruction in Iowa as part of the Computer Science is Elementary project. Nearly 100 educators and administrators from these schools gathered at the FFA Enrichment Center located on the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny for the Computer Science is Elementary Institute.

$Mathematics STEM Scale-Up Program$

Strengthening Mathematics Education through STEM Scale-Up Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019-2020 STEM Scale-Up Program mathematics menu.

I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award Nominations Open

Iowa is home to numerous outstanding educators. Each year, the STEM Council, in partnership with Kemin Industries, shines a light on six educators doing amazing work in STEM fields each year.

Summer Work-Based Learning Experience Turns into Job Opportunity for Students

For nearly three years, Cedar Falls high school students have had the opportunity to participate in a STEM BEST model they call Cedar Falls Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) during the school year. With the support of a STEM BEST Program award from the STEM Council, a summer course was added to the curriculum.

Disciplines Converge at STEM Day at the Fair

STEM education encourages skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, art and communication to converge, working seamlessly to provide a complete academic foundation that inspires minds and strengthens Iowa’s economic and workforce development. The Iowa State Fair was full of examples of how disciplines converge all around us.