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

STEM BEST Students at CurbTender
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. 
 
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STEM BEST Program Sparks Success in Iowa Schools

Ottumwa High School SparkTank, a STEM BEST® Program model, assisted Wapello County Emergency Management Agency with the developm

As part of the STEM BEST® Program, Ottumwa High School launched SparkTank in August 2018. This project-based experience connects students with local businesses and organizations, allowing students to solve real problems in authentic learning environments, while becoming immersed in a professional culture. Read more about STEM BEST Program Sparks Success in Iowa Schools

Bridging Business and Education through STEM BEST

STEM BEST Program
Currently, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is accepting applicationsfor new STEM work-based learning models, known as the Iowa STEM BEST®(Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program A total of 50 STEM BEST® Programs ha

STEM BEST Chemistry Lab Makeover

New chemistry lab at West Delaware High School

Work-based learning got personal for a West Delaware High School chemistry student. In 2017-2018 the high school offered a new elective, DelCo BEST. This class connects students with local businesses to undertake real-world, work-based projects and create authentic learning opportunities. Read more about STEM BEST Chemistry Lab Makeover

Woodbine is Connecting Students and Business Early On

STEM BEST Program

As one of thirteen most recently awarded STEM BEST models, Woodbine Community School District and its community partners understand the value of engaging students with businesses. They provide their students with a unique opportunity to interact with local businesses through their STEM BEST Lunch Guest Program.  Read more about Woodbine is Connecting Students and Business Early On

School + Business STEM Partnerships Reach 37

School leaders gather to discuss STEM BEST

What began as a hunt for innovative excellence that routed through Kansas City's CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) and Brooklyn, New York's P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) in 2013 has become a bona fide movement custom-fitted to Iowa: STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers).  Read more about School + Business STEM Partnerships Reach 37

STEM BEST: Fort Madison High School

Fort Madison high school students

"Our community partners were reinforcing the idea that students needed to learn in a way consistent with the current world of work," said Greg Smith, principal at Fort Madison High School. "They agreed with us that to be successful as adults, students needed to practice problem-solving in group settings. Read more about STEM BEST: Fort Madison High School

STEM BEST: DelCo BEST

DelCo BEST students talk with STEM BEST Partner

STEM BEST® is a win-win-win. It creates projects for students to explore their passions. It opens doors for businesses to contribute to career awareness and shape the future workforce. It presents examples for teachers to connect content areas to the jobs outside school walls. Read more about STEM BEST: DelCo BEST

STEM BEST® Partners triple in two years

STEM BEST Juniors and Seniors

Around this same time in 2014, the STEM Council first welcomed the inaugural five STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Partners to the team. Read more about STEM BEST® Partners triple in two years

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BEST practices in business-education partnerships paid forward

STEM Council Executive Committe Member Rob Denson speaks in Ankeny

No more “take a seat” or “open your textbooks.” Instead, “get to work” is what students can look forward to when they enter STEM BEST (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) classrooms popping up across Iowa thanks to partnerships driven by the STEM Council. Strategies for success in bridging the business-education chasm were aplenty at the first-of-its-kind STEM BEST event this month. Read more about BEST practices in business-education partnerships paid forward

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