News

STEM BEST Innovators Convene to Catalyze Change

Customized professional development, sharing of best practices and networking defined the 2023 BEST STEMposium. Approximately 75 of Iowa’s leading educational innovators gathered in Okoboji for two days to collaborate, learn from the experiences of others and plot the disruption of school-as-usual.

Calendar of Major STEM Events

The annual cycle of life for Iowa’s STEM Council is designed around reaching the overarching goals to increase interest and achievement in STEM studies and careers. By partnering with students, parents, educators, employers, non-profits, policy leaders and others, the STEM Council provides inspiring opportunities for innovation and authentic career-linked learning.

Top STEM Tools and Training Scaled to Educators Across Iowa

1,383 educators will be preparing for the upcoming academic year by attending STEM Scale-Up Program training this summer. A total of 43 training opportunities for 13 Scale-Up Programs will take place over the coming weeks to prepare teachers and other learning professionals to incorporate cutting edge STEM instruction this fall.

Medical Centers and other Workplaces Host Summer Teacher-Externs

This summer, 82 brave and curious Iowa teachers are spreading their wings into local STEM businesses, nonprofits, government services and other workplaces to gain work experiences that can be applied in the classroom.

STEM Re-alignment Update from the Executive Director

The lead story in January’s STEM newsletter was about the prospect of integrating Iowa’s STEM organization with the Iowa Department of Education on July 1. The amazing accomplishments of this organization thanks to you and thousands more advocates were re-accounted as backdrop for the bright horizons of our new home.

Teachers Answer "Why do a Summer Externship?"

It is quite a commitment for an Iowa teacher to block six weeks to experience a workplace that uses the skills and knowledge of the class they teach. Typically, teachers use summer to revise or create new courses, or to further their education, or to teach summer school or coach at a camp. So what attracts dozens of teachers to STEM externships each year?

Thank You for Advancing the T in STEM, Ann

The Microsoft Imagine Academy has bridged Iowa classrooms to the world of work through Microsoft Office training and certification opportunities. The Imagine Academy, led by Ann Watts on behalf of the STEM Council, has reached nearly 40,000 students through curriculum, exams and certifications since 2014.

Two Programs Earn STEM Seal of Approval

From robotics clubs and engineering events to coding programs and ballet performances, STEM can happen almost anywhere. The STEM Council established the STEM Seal of Approval to recognize and support non-Council programs and events that significantly advance STEM in Iowa.

Two programs recently received the Seal of Approval for their ingenuity and innovation in STEM:

What Do You Get From 70 STEM Leaders in a Room?

Inspiration. Evidence. Ideas. Future vision. Those were the outcomes of the 25th meeting of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council held in Ankeny on April 20. The setting, a global precision micro-molding manufacturer, Accumold, symbolized the economic opportunities and fulfilling careers ahead for students of STEM.

Keokuk Students Grow with Computer Science

Each year, STEM Scale-Up Program evaluation data indicates positive impact in students’ test scores, in interest in STEM subjects and in pursuing STEM careers.