STEM Advisory Council members launched five working groups to make recommendations that will shape the future of STEM in Iowa.

STEM Council Strategic Planning Charts Future Course

Members of the STEM Advisory Council alongside academic, business, public policy and nonprofit leaders and passionate volunteers took part in a six-month quest to chart the course of STEM in Iowa.
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Educators are receiving and implementing their Differentiated Math Centers STEM Scale-Up Program.

Adapting STEM for 2020 Limitations

As early snow falls in Iowa, all communities continue to feel the effects of COVID-19. Organizations, businesses and educational institutions are adapting to an environment of social distancing and virtual access.
 
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STEM Council working groups are one example of the many opportunities for volunteers to get involved with the STEM Council.

Volunteerism at the Heart of STEM in Iowa

Each year, it takes an army of STEM advocates to keep the wheels in motion for STEM programming in Iowa.
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STEM Scale-Up Program providers share strategies for engagement in virtual learning environments.

Top Tips for Virtual Learning – Part 1: Strategies for Engagement

The immediate shift to virtual learning has impacted nearly every Iowan. Many are still learning how to best navigate the new virtual territory. The STEM Council sought out best practices and advice for virtual learning from our 2020 STEM Scale-Up Program providers.

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Virtual webinar to check in with participants of the Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Workshop.

Webinar Supports Council Equity Priority

Following the Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Workshop in June, the first of three follow-up webinars was held in mid-September.

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Two Programs Earn 2020 STEM Council Seal of Approval

IT and Cyber Programs Earn 2020 STEM Council Seal of Approval

The STEM Council endorsed two STEM programs in Iowa with the Seal of Approval. The Seal of Approval recognizes non-Council programs and events that are helping advance the goals of Iowa STEM, one America’s most ambitious and effective state STEM initiatives.

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STEM Scale-Up Program providers share communication best practices for virtual learning.

Top Tips for Virtual Learning - Part 2: Methods of Communication

Communication is often referred to as the key to success and is possibly even more important in a virtual learning environment. Below are some tips and best practices from STEM Scale-Up Program providers* to enhance the communication flow in a virtual settings.

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The 2018 STEM BEST partner Okoboji No Boundaries Leaving a Legacy team looks at blueprints of the new middle school.

Twelve STEM BEST Models Join Innovative Education Community

Iowa’s STEM initiative continues to grow with 12 new STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Programs recognized, administered by the STEM Council.

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The 2019 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients were honored at STEM Day at the Capitol last February.

Wanted: Outstanding STEM Teachers for Recognition

Iowa has many outstanding and dedicated educators. Most Iowans can likely recall a teacher who inspired STEM learning and a future of innovative thinking. Nominations are now being accepted to recognize those teachers with the Iowa STEM Teacher Award.

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Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Rhonda McCarthy shared a lesson about growing plants in space for STEM Day at the Fair.

Nothing Compares to Virtual STEM Day at the Fair

Earlier this summer, the Iowa State Fair Board voted to postpone the 2020 Iowa State Fair until August 12-22, 2021. In order to protect the health and safety of nearly one million expected fair goers, the Iowa State Fair was entirely virtual this year. Each day embraced a new theme with sponsors, activities, photos, videos or contests.

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The seventh convening of the Midwest STEM Forum was held virtually with 33 thought-leaders in STEM from ten states and regions.

Iowa Convenes Midwest STEM Leaders

The need for inter-state collaboration in STEM was identified shortly after Iowa’s STEM Council was established. John Deere, DuPont-Pioneer (now Corteva) and Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) advised that like many businesses, they cross borders into surrounding states and encouraged solutions for talent development and innovative thinking across the Midwest.

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