January 2019
SC STEM Hub Newsletter
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“
The key to STEM education is the ability to adapt."
-Nadilia Gomez
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Dr. Sarah Derry,
SC Regional Manager
Phone
:
515-271-2403
Website
: https://scstemhub.drake.edu/
Email
:
scstemhub@drake.edu
Hashtag:
#STEMinYourWorld
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2019-2020 Scale-Up Program
Application Open Now
The Scale-Up program menu ranges from coding programs to hands-on biotechnology and agriculture projects to STEM career exploration. All programs provided by the STEM Council have a proven track record of increasing student interest and achievement in STEM as well as meeting state academic standards for all learners.
Available 2019-20 School Year
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Common Questions
Q: What will I receive?
A: All programs provide professional development and materials needed to implement the course. Some programs also provide participation stipends and graduate or continuing education credit.
Q: Who can apply?
A: Educators from in-school and out-of-school settings are encouraged to apply.
Q: Can multiple educators be listed in an application?
A: Yes. For example, if three fourth grade teachers from the same building are interested in applying for a program, all of the educators can be listed within one application.
Q: What if we still need to hire the teacher?
A: No worries. The application allows you to put a "placeholder" in your application. Before implementing the program, however, the placeholder will need to be replaced with an actual teacher.
Q: Can I apply for multiple school buildings in one application?
A: For districts interested in applying for multiple buildings, each building will need to have its own application but within the application portal, applications can be copied to make the process of applying for buildings across a district easier.
Q: What if I have more questions?
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SE Polk Teacher Wins STEM Award
Congrats Matthew Eddy!
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The SC STEM Hub honored SE Polk's Matthew Eddy with the regional I.O.W.A STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. Eddy, raised on a farm, teaches agriculture science. "Ag is STEM," says Eddy. "Science and technology are essential to farming. A farmer can't increase production without them."
INNOVATION
Eddy's innovative classroom mixes a up-to-date chemistry lab, informal student meeting area, traditional work tables, and a hydroponics farm that produces enough romaine lettuce and fish to contribute to school lunches. In addition, Eddy secured grant funding and created an offsite Animal Learning Center, complete with the ability to ultrasound classroom cows.
MOTIVATION
But the inviting environment is just a small part of what attracts so many students to his classes. It's the teacher who makes the class!
"Mr. Eddy constantly gives us the opportunity to try new things and better ourselves," said junior Lydia Johnson, Chapter President FFA. "He seeks out grants, internships--anything he can do to improve our learning. He's here by 7 a.m. each morning, and he's always willing to help any student who needs it."
PROGRAMMING
Eddy works to give every student a meaningful experience. He partners with businesses like Kemin Industries and Corteva to provide job shadows. In addition, some students continue working with Kemin, earning 388 hours of industry experience in addition to college credit.
Each summer, Eddy runs a Summer Science Lab that allows students to coordinate a display at the Iowa State Fair's Animal Learning Center. This summer, he'll even be taking students to visit China's farm systems.
ADVICE
How does he find the time and energy to invest in this growing educational empire? "Do what you're passionate about," says Eddy. "When you love what you're doing, it's not work at all."
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Photos: (top to bottom) Matt Eddy with his wife, kids and parents; Eddy with his principal and the mentor who nominated him, ISU's Dr. Retallick; Eddy with his student teacher and FFA President Lydia Johnson (right); Eddy and Dr. Sarah Derry in the hydroponics area.
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Corteva Agriscience Hosts SC Advisory Board Meeting
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“The key to STEM education is the ability to adapt," said Senior Research Scientist and South Central Board Member Nadilia Gomez. Gomez leads a group called Predictive Agriculture and Digital Solutions, which works to integrate technology and plant science. She hosted the January advisory board meeting and gave us a peek at Corteva's innovations.
One such example of this integration is Corteva's new drone technology. According to Gomez, the role of the agronomist changes with use of tech. The drone does recognizance in the field; then a scientist analyzes the data. The information is given back to the farmer to improve production.
Using an app makes gathering big data simpler. “A trained, PhD plant breeder may never touch a plant,” added Gomez.
The South Central STEM Advisory Board collaborates to share messages like Gomez's with educators, students, and mentors across the region. The board helps connect them with STEM Council resources to promote STEM interest and achievement across the state.
Corteva Agriscience company leaders have invested time and money into tech innovation, introducing the world to the notion that Corteva can provide farmers with seeds, software, and support.
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Top:
Nadilia Gomez demonstrates how Corteva uses drones and software to improve farm production.
Bottom:
TJ Myerholtz, Nadilia Gomez, Sarah Derry, Jon Holmen, Allison Moore, Kari Henson, Ronda McCarthy, Tom Rice, Creighton Cox, Lisa Morlock, and Jeff Weld at the meeting.
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BEST features Central Campus'
NeuroSMART
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Governor Kim Reynolds recognized STEM BEST recipient Central Campus for its Neuroscience Student Mentoring And Research Training (NeuroSMART) during her State of the State address. This partnership offers real-world experience in the areas of neuroscience and business.
Partners include the Des Moines School District, Des Moines University, and Kemin Industries. The program received one of Iowa's STEM BEST awards for its efforts to provide students with relevant learning opportunities through community partnerships. These partnerships help students transition from K-12 to post-secondary training/college to careers in Iowa.
“NeuroSMART is an exciting and innovative initiative for students interested in the medical sciences, giving them some experience and exposure to med school while they are still in high school,” added Kacia Cain, Central Campus administrator and science teacher.
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Above: Central Campus students were recognized during the Governor’s State of the State address for the STEM BEST program NeuroSMART. The program combines anatomy, neuroscience, and computer science to create 3D printed models of brains.
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Sign-Up NOW!
ICEC Winter Workshop 2019: STEM and EE
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Explore the integration of environmental education and STEM (E-STEM) using authentic data to create real world context for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This year,
Data Deep Dives and Field Experiences
provide three grade level tracks with hand-on practice, tips and tricks, and proven STEM-based activities:
Elementary
Learn about the myriad of investigations you and your students can do while hatching eggs in the classroom with Kim Richman (science instructor, Joshua Christian Academy), and how to observe and explore your school yard with an emphasis on trees as habitats and common critters. Leslie Berckes from Trees Forever and Linette Bernard from SOAR will also share resources.
Middle School
Check out online watershed modeling activities you can apply to your site. Learn how to integrate precipitation data and use project-based learning approaches to engage your students with Karen Koenig (TAG, former middle school science, Iowa Falls). Tour an urban park watershed project and do water quality testing through the ice with Karen and Joel VanRoekel, Des Moines Parks and Recreation.
High School
Use technology tools that can assist with data collection for real-time projects with your students and practice online simulations to delve into climate change. Peg Steffen (NOAA, retired) will share classroom-tested activities and accessible online resources for data. Jenny Koska (Metro Waste Authority) will share their holistic approach to reducing greenhouse gases during a tour of the state-of-the-art Metro Park East Landfill.
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STEM & EE: ICEC WINTER WORKSHOP
DATE:
February 22-23
LOCATION:
Drake University
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Click to learn more
and register:
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Computer Science is Elementary
Apply Today!
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One school is each region, along with a second year of funding for pilot school Loess Hills Elementary, will receive $50,000 to transform six high-poverty schools into state role models in the area of computer science education.
Awards must be used in buildings where at least 40 percent of the students are eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch.
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Lucas County STEM Festival
WHEN: Thursday, March 28
TIME: 5-7 pm
SET-UP: 4 pm (onsite at 1pm)
WHERE: Chariton Community
Center
(318 Osage Avenue)
Exhibitors register
HERE
!
Attendees register
HERE
!
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Calendar of Events
February 13 -- STEM Day at the Capitol
February 22-23 -- ICEC Winter Workshop
February 25 -- Math Madness, DM Library
March 4 -- Scale-Up Applications Close
March 12 -- SC STEM Advisory Board Meeting
March 28 -- Lucas County STEM Festival
March 29 -- Computer Science is Elementary
Applications Due
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Math Madness is Back!
Build confidence, engage problem-solving skills, and challenge creativity with this workshop. Join the library and the SC Hub for an hour of hands-on math activities. Win fun prizes!
DATE:
February 25
LOCATION:
Des Moines Downtown Public Library
TIME:
4:00-5:00 PM
All welcome, leans K-8.
PHOTO, left: Need ideas for your next holiday party, indoor recess, or class workstation? Then checkout our Math Kit. Available
HERE
!
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