News

Message from Executive Director Jeff Weld

A little bit of everyone involved with Iowa STEM went with me to Washington, DC in late 2017 to usher the delivery of America’s Strategy for STEM Education.

STEM Day at the Fair Receives International Recognition

To top off another incredible year at the Iowa State Fair, STEM Day at the Fair received first place honors in Sponsorship Continuity at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Annual Convention held earlier this year. Representing more than 1,100 fairs worldwide, the IAFE has maintained its goals of helping promote and grow fairs and festivals since 1885.

Corporate Partnerships Fuel STEM Growth Engine

Through various contributing partners, nearly $3 million was invested in Iowa STEM in 2017-2018. This remarkable support is deeply appreciated by the STEM Council, schools, students and communities who are impacted through partnerships and programming.

Reflecting on 2018 STEM Council Programs

2018 brought many exciting programs, new projects and key milestones for the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. Here’s a brief reflection on STEM Council programs this past calendar year.

New Members Appointed to Council

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is comprised of 50 members throughout Iowa, including leaders in education, business and industry, nonprofits and state and local government officials. This body of individuals helps guide the overall direction of the STEM Council to increase student interest, enhance engagement and improve STEM achievement in Iowa.

STEM Advisory Council Guides Path Forward

Focused on enriching the lives of Iowans through STEM education, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council met on November 20 at the FFA Enrichment Center on the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Ankeny Campus.

Computer Science Education Week Brings Focus on Important 21st Century Skills

Computer Science Education Week, held the first week in December, shines a light on the fundamentals of coding, generates interest in the subject and helps students realize how these skills can help meet future career needs.

STEM Teacher Spotlight: Teresa Green

The North Central STEM Region’s 2018 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award honoree is Teresa Green, a technology teacher librarian at Edwards Elementary School in Ames.

Thirteen new partners join STEM BEST® Program

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.

Iowa students, teachers benefit from STEM

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council recently released the 2017-2018 Iowa STEM Evaluation Report. This independent evaluation measures the STEM Council’s progress toward increasing student interest and achievement in STEM education and workforce development in Iowa.

Highlights of the report include: