STEM BEST Students Turn Podcasters

Students from Boone EDGE, a STEM BEST Program, launched a podcast featuring Boone School District alumni and their career paths.
Students from Boone EDGE, a STEM BEST Program, launched a podcast featuring Boone School District alumni and their career paths.

STEM education goes beyond science, technology, engineering and mathematics; it provides durable skills for the future and curiosity for life. What started as curiosity in technology and human connection led to the launch of a successful podcast for students from Boone High School.

Ashton Thilges and Kenley Crouthamel are enrolled in Boone EDGE. This STEM BEST Program model is focused on career readiness through authentic learning experiences, including internships, job shadows and passion projects. With guidance and advice from Boone EDGE Coordinator Lindsey Hyman, Thilges and Crouthamel maintain a professional podcast focused on careers of previous Boone High School alumni called the Boone Alumni Podcast.

The first half of each episode focuses on growing up in Boone, favorite activities and memories. Following a break, which includes ads from sponsors, the second half of the podcast is centered on their career paths and advice for anyone considering a similar profession.

“The alumni come from many different walks of life and have very different experiences in the professional world,” said Thilges. “We use this platform to highlight those experiences. It's really cool to just see what you can do coming from a small town in Iowa.”

From this experience, Thilges and Crouthamel have gained experience and skills in research, outreach and communication, organization, technology, problem solving, critical thinking and so much more.

The STEM BEST Program emphasizes an importance in developing future-focused skills through authentic workplace experiences in STEM fields. To learn more about the STEM BEST Program and paths of other STEM BEST Program models, visit www.IowaSTEM.org/STEMBEST.

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