Thirteen new partners join STEM BEST® Program

STEM BEST Program
Students from the Ankeny School District use equipment that was made possible through a STEM BEST® Program award.

The STEM Council Executive Committee voted unanimously to award 13 of 23 proposed new or expanded STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program partnerships.

These newly added partners bring the total to 50 partnerships in Iowa, since the inception of the program in 2014.

The STEM BEST® Program fosters a learning environment where students are able to participate in collaborative, real workplace projects designed by business professionals along with educators that apply K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics to skills, knowledge and behaviors needed for STEM careers.

The 13 new partners were awarded up to $25,000 each. Employer partners and program awardees contribute a dollar-for-dollar match or, in some instances, well beyond a 50 percent cost-sharing commitment for equipping collaborative workspaces, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration, and curriculum development and coordination. The 2018 STEM BEST® Program awardees are:

  • Allamakee Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
  • Belle Plaine Community School District in the Southeast STEM Region
  • CAM Community School District in the Southwest STEM Region
  • Cedar Falls Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
  • Central Community School District in the Northeast STEM Region
  • Des Moines Independent Community School District in the South Central STEM Region
  • Keokuk Community School District in the Southeast STEM Region
  • Okoboji, Graettinger-Terril and Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School Districts in the Northwest STEM Region
  • Ottumwa Community School District in the South Central STEM Region
  • Sioux City Community School District in the Northwest STEM Region
  • St. Mary School (Humboldt) in the North Central STEM Region
  • St. Theresa School (Des Moines) in the South Central STEM Region
  • Woodbine Community School District in the Southwest STEM Region

Each STEM BEST® Program awardee submitted an in-depth proposal, which described factors like education driven by industry need, rigorous, relevant and dynamic STEM curriculum, authentic partnerships and connection to post-secondary education or training. Each awardee will serve as a model to share unique perspectives, strengths, demographics and program focus with others schools across the state.

To learn more about the STEM BEST® Program and all 50 partners, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/STEMBEST.

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