Festival Season Begins with Successful Turnout at NIACC

Over 800 attendees came out for the 2 nd Annual NIACC Family STEM Festival on Saturday, October 12.  Children had the opportunity to fly a glider, explore architectural design with Virtual Reality, dissect a virtual human body using a touchscreen anatomage table, create a lava lamp, and have their hair stand on end with electricity among many other activities. The event was made possible through partnerships with North Iowa Area Community College, Central Rivers AEA, ISU Extension and Outreach and all the businesses and organizations that put their time into creating amazing STEM experiences for North Iowa’s children and families.

Thank you to our exhibitors:
ATURA Architecture
Cambrex
Central Rivers AEA
Cerro Gordo County 4-H
Floyd County Conservation
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
ISU Extension and Outreach
ISU Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)
Mason City Public Library
North Iowa Area Community College
Renewable Energy Group
Stellar Industries, Inc
Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Valent Biosciences
Bookmark STEM

Through a partnership with the ISU School of Education, the North Central STEM Hub will be providing STEM & Literacy bookmarks to festival attendees this year. The idea was hatched by Sara Nelson, instructor at ISU School of Education and State STEM 4-H Specialist. The bookmarks were created by Pre-Service Teachers in the School of Education and are designed to accompany the “What if You Had Animal . . .” book series by Sandra Markle, provided to North Central STEM Festival attendees. The bookmarks provide families a guide to “Enjoy the Book Together” and “STEM Challenges” around the theme of the book.
Dr. Kelly Bergman
Iowa State University
1259 Stange Rd
Ames, IA 50011-1002

Phone: 515-203-7247

Email: kbergman@iastate.edu

Website: ncstemhub.iastate.edu
Iowa Central STEAMfest
October 19

Bring your whole family to the Iowa Central STEAMfest on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 1 to 4 PM. The festival is free and open to the public. Come enjoy interactive and hands-on activities for children and their families. Attendees can ride a virtual roller coaster, drive a robot, fly a drone and pet a crawly insect with the ISU Insect Zoo. Enjoy face painting and snacks, too! Brought to you by Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge Community School District, City of Fort Dodge, and the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The festival is located at Iowa Central Community College Central Campus, One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Register for Professional Development in STEM Principals

The Central Rivers AEA is partnering with the NC and NE STEM Regions in offering the course: Meeting the Needs of all Students through STEM Principals (Course #180263). Educators can still sign up for the Marshalltown and Cedar Falls dates:
Marshalltown Office: Oct. 29 and Feb. 20
Cedar Falls Office: Dec. 12 and April 4
Strands available include:
  • I have (or just received) a STEM Scale Up Grant
  • What does STEM Integration Look Like (How to Integrate)
  • Project-Based Learning(PBL)
  • I am starting from scratch – HELP
  • Maker Space
  • Early Childhood STEM Connection
Participants can sign up for the following sessions:
2018-19 NC STEM Advisory Board

Lindsey Falk, St. Ansgar
Ashley Flatebo, Garner
Doug Jacobson, Ames
Sara Nelson, Ames
Michael Pedersen, Marshalltown
Kristle Percy, Mason City
Kathy Rogotzke, Mason City
Sarah Rosenblum, Marshalltown
Camille Sloan Schroeder, Boone
Kerry Weig, Nevada
Nancy Woods, Boone
Michael Young, Ames
David Zrostlik, Garner

Upcoming Events:

October 19
Iowa Central Community College STEAMfest, Fort Dodge