September 2017

Kristine Bullock
SE Hub Manager


Last Friday night of every month, 5:00-8:00 pm, Iowa Children's Museum

September 20-22 Downtown Cedar Rapids

Southeast Regional Board Meeting September 21 9:00-11:00
2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville

Iowa STEM Council Meeting October 2 10:00 - 2:00 Camp Dodge

October 9 FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

October 9 Valley High School, West Des Moines

October 12 10:00 - 2:00 Cass County Community Center

October 12 11:00 - 1:00 Comfort Inn & Suites, Fort Madison

October 16 - 17 Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport

Southeast Regional Board Meeting October 19 2:00 -4:00 

STEM Active Learning PD November 2 10:00 - 2:00 Stew Art Studio Grinnell

Washington County STEM Festival November 30 4:00 - 7:00 Washington, IA

Linn County STEM Festival February 20 4:00 - 8:00 Hiawatha, IA
Submit Your STEM Event HERE


The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a bipartisan collaboration of legislators, educators, businesses, students and families to increase STEM awareness and opportunities in Iowa.  To learn more about STEM programming going on in southeast Iowa, visit us at http://se.iowastem.org. 
 
STEM Council Invites STEM Programs to 
Scale Across Iowa

On September 5, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council released a nationwide invitation for STEM programs to compete for a unique partnership that allows them to "scale" across Iowa for the 2018-2019 school year.

Each year, the STEM Council partners with program providers to deliver exemplary programs to roughly 2,000 educators both in an out of the classroom at little or no cost through the STEM Scale-Up Program.  Since 2012, the program has impacted roughly 100,000 preK-12 youth annually.  Results from the annual evaluation show that on the Iowa Assessments, students who participate in the STEM Scale-Up Program score on average seven percentage points higher in National Percentile Rank in math, six higher in science and four higher in reading.

"Iowa's STEM Scale-Up program was conceived by leaders on the STEM Council as a means for leveling the playing field across our state by bringing top-quality STEM to preK-12 learners regardless of their zip code," said STEM Council Executive Director Dr. Jeff Weld.

The current list of programs in the STEM Scale-Up Program will be asked to reapply alongside other potential new partners who will compete for a spot on the 2018-2019 menu of offerings that Iowa's educators can apply for in January 2018.  Selected programs will demonstrate through their proposals clear evidence of success in increasing student interest and achievement in STEM, especially inspiring students of diverse backgrounds and abilities to strive toward STEM study and careers.

For the fourth year in a row, the STEM Council will partner with the national STEM organization, Change the Equation, that employs a rigorous review process to build a national registry of quality STEM programs, known as the STEMworks database.  The partnership enables applicants to submit simultaneously for STEMworks listing and Iowa's STEM Scale-Up Program menu.  They will be evaluated through Change the Equation's research-based Design Principles for Effectiveness as well as additional state-specific criteria to assess their readiness to expand in Iowa.

Competitive proposals may come from a variety of sources, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations or the private sector and will be those that are clearly evidence-based and well-planned, targeting areas of need in Iowa and readily scalable across the state.  The proposal is located here and must be submitted by 5:00 pm CDT October 9, 2017.

 
Recognize an Outstanding Iowa STEM Teacher


Do you know a STEM teacher that goes above and beyond? Nominations are open for the 2018 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award sponsored by Kemin Industries. This award celebrates teachers 
whose leadership and dedication to STEM in Iowa increases students' interest and awareness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

One teacher from each of the six STEM regions will receive a $1,500 award along with an additional $1,500 to be used in their classroom. Deadline for submissions is October 6, and recipients will be announced January 2018.   Nominate a STEM teacher today at www.stemaward.fluidreview.com
 
STEM Active Learning Professional Development Workshop Series
 
The STEM Active Learning Community Partners Working Group of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is hosting a series of professional development workshops for informal educators.

During these active, hands-on workshops attendees will have a chance to transform a STEM lesson with the Dimensions of Success Program Planning Tool.   Register now!

At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with:
  • a high-quality STEM activity to use at your own program or organization
  • an understanding of the DoS Lesson Planning Guide that will lead you through the activity planning process using DoS
  • a free, online resource as additional professional development
  • increased confidence in facilitating STEM activities!
Participants will receive a $50.00 stipend for attending the workshop and submitting a revised STEM lesson plan after the workshop.  All workshops are from 10:00-2:00 and lunch is provided.

Thursday, October 12
Cass County Community Center
805 W 10th St.
Atlantic, IA 50022
Register for the workshop here
T
hursday, November 2
Stew Art Studio
926 Broad St.
Grinnell, IA 50112
Register for the workshop here
 
Engineering is Elementary Spanish Translations

Since 2012, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council has scaled Engineering is Elementary to Iowa educators both in and out of the classroom.  A goal of the STEM Council is to engage all learners no matter their zip code, gender, race or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.  In the United States, English learners are the fastest growing group of public school students which can create a huge barrier to access if student materials are only available in English.  Recently, the Museum of Science, Boston released Spanish translations of the student notebooks for all 20 Engineering Adventures and Engineering Everywhere units.  These new translations are in addition to the 20 in--
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school curriculum units available in Spanish.

According to the Museum, " The  EiE team's research  has shown the  power of engineering notebooks  in helping students organize their information, scaffold their work, and collaborate and communicate effectively with their peers. And because 77% of English Learners speak Spanish at home , we want to provide those same supports while promoting literacy in their home language. "

The Museum also provides a Spanish-language family letter on their website  on the individual page for each unit .   
 
Download the notebooks and curricula here.
 
Kirkwood's Workplace Learning Connection Offers Job Shadow and Internship Opportunities to Students

Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), serving  students, educators and businesses in the seven county region of  the Grant Wood Area Education Agency offers students an opportunity to try on STEM related careers through one day job shadows and academic internships! 
 
THE WLC JOB SHADOW ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL IS OPEN NOW!
High school Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties  APPLY NOW for the 2017/2018 school year!
Please check with your specific school for application deadlines.
To learn more about WLC's job shadow opportunities and how to apply, click here!
 
To learn more about WLC's internship opportunities and how to apply, click here!   Get connected through Workplace Learning Connection !
 
Available Resources
A collection of resources for STEM educators, businesses, and community members
 
Virtual Reality Headsets
8 Virtual Reality 3D headsets are available for checkout.  Students can use the headsets to view STEM career videos, explore the world beyond the classroom and much more.  Educators will need to have access to Apple or Android device to use with the glasses (typically student's personal device).  If interested in checking out the glasses, click here.

Pint Size Science Kit Check-Out
New BeeBot mats have been received and are available for checkout! Four types of kits from the Science Center of Iowa that are designed for 3-5 year old students are currently available for checkout. If interested in checking out a kit or for more information on the kits that are available, click  here.

Renewable Energy Activity Kits
The Southeast STEM Hub is proud to partner with the ATEEC Interactive Learning Lab at Eastern Iowa Community College to offer renewable energy activity kits to educators throughout the southeast region.  Thanks to the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, ATEEC is able to offer a variety of kits that are sure to engage any student.   If interested in checking out a kit or for more information on the available kits, click  here

A World In Motion Activity Kit Check-Out
Three types of kits designed for primary or elementary students are currently available for checkout.  If interested in checking out a kit or for more information on the kits that are available, click  here.  

Materials may be checked out for 6 weeks. They can be picked up and returned at the Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa, 2301 Oakdale Boulevard, Coralville, IA 52241 .  Please replace any consumables you use. 
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Sincerely,
 
Kristine Bullock
SE Iowa STEM Manager 
kristine-bullock@uiowa.edu