Prepare the Future Workforce through STEM Teacher Externships

Corteva hosted Norwalk High School Teacher Sarah Hunt for a STEM Teacher Externship last summer.
Corteva hosted Norwalk High School Teacher Sarah Hunt for a STEM Teacher Externship last summer.

Business and industry have been helping Iowa develop the next generation of high-demand workers since 2009 through the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program. This six-week summer program matches educators with business hosts for a unique learning experience where classroom learning can be applied to local career opportunities.

This award-winning program identifies and places highly qualified teachers in organizations to assist with projects, solve problems and provide an opportunity to experience the innovative careers across Iowa. The STEM Teacher Externship Program also facilitates conversations to help bring the experience back to the classroom where its impact will be felt for years to come. 

More than 600 teacher externs have participated in the program since its inception. Even in the midst of a pandemic year, 49 educators were able to safely participate in the program during the summer of 2020.

“We’re excited about another great year for the Teacher Externship Program,” said STEM Teacher Externship Program Supervisor Jason Lang. “There are so many exciting career options right here in Iowa. One of the greatest privileges of coordinating these experiences for educators is hearing how much they learned through the program and the impact it will have in how they teach going forward.”

For more information about the STEM Teacher Externship Program, visit iowastem.org/externships. Any workplace interested in offering a valuable experience for educators this summer is encouraged to complete a Workplace Host Interest Form at iowastem.org/externships-host-interest or contact the program coordinators at externships@iowastem.org.

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