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.

Posterized Iowans Inspire Classrooms

Enacting a directive of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals, the operations team annually seeks out dynamic role models to carry the banner of STEM Gem to students throughout the State. The project began in 2009 with a science teacher and a naturalist presenting compelling examples for where STEM can lead.

STEM Council Progress Highlighted at State Capitol

Approximately 200 Iowans showcased their contributions to STEM through 32 in-school and out-of-school displays in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda for STEM Day at the Capitol on February 13. The displays included STEM Scale-Up Program Providers, STEM BEST Program Partners, STEM Seal of Approval awardees, Iowa STEM Network Hub Institutions, youth agencies, nonprofits and more.

Honoring the 2019 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award Recipients

The 2019 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award recipients were recognized during STEM Day at the Capitol. In her remarks Libby Nelson, vice president and general counsel at Kemin Industries, expressed how proud Kemin Industries is to have sponsored the I.O.W.A.

STEM Education + Workplace Partnerships Summit Registration Opens

At a press conference on February 27, Gov. Kim Reynolds reaffirmed her vision for preparing Iowans for dynamic careers and lifelong learning by continuing to connect workforce, STEM and workplace partnerships.

2019-2020 STEM Scale-Up Program Application Closes March 4

What is the STEM Scale-Up Program?

The STEM Scale-Up Program finds some of the state’s and nation’s high-quality programs and delivers them to Iowa educators. Each year, the STEM Council equips thousands of educators with STEM programs that inspire nearly 100,000 Iowa youth.

Ten programs complete the 2019-2020 STEM Scale-Up Program menu, including:

Computer Science is Elementary Project Application Closes March 29

Computational thinking is a new basic skill in the 21 st century. Building a strong foundation early for all students is critical. This will ensure students are well prepared later in their personal and professional lives, including for a dynamic workforce where a growing number of jobs require computational thinking.

Apply Now for Computer Science is Elementary Project Planning Grant

The Computer Science is Elementary project is taking a crucial next step by inviting eligible Iowa schools to apply between January 22 and March 29, 2019, for $50,000 one-time planning grants.

STEM Innovation Fund Awards Four Stellar STEM Programs

Through private-sector support, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has awarded seed funding through the Iowa STEM Innovation Fund to four exemplary programs to potentially scale their STEM efforts across the state. The STEM Innovation Fund supports STEM programming across the state to develop programs of promise for inspiring and engaging youth in STEM activities and careers.

STEM Teacher Externs Connect Classroom to Careers, Community

Hundreds of Iowa STEM educators have invested a part of their summers in connecting mathematics, science and technology instruction with the world of work that awaits their students.

Tanya Hunt Joins STEM Council as Part-Time Program Coordinator

Tanya Hunt heard the call for a focused effort to assist the STEM Council team on helping to further support and strengthen the state’s STEM BEST Program partnerships.