December 2018
Monthly News
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IN THIS ISSUE
Message from Executive Director Jeff Weld
STEM Day at the Fair Receives International Recognition
Corporate Partnerships Fuel STEM Growth Engine
Reflecting on 2018 STEM Council Programs
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January 16, 2019 - 12:00 p.m.
North Central Regional Advisory Board Meeting
January 25, 2019 - 10:00 a.m.
I'll Make Me A World In Iowa
February 9, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.
Dordt STEM Fest
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Message from Executive Director Jeff Weld
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Iowa STEM Council Executive Director returns from one-year national STEM assignment.
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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
. From our Governor’s STEM Advisory Council co-chairs and members, to our regional advisory board members, regional managers and operations team, hub institutional partners, program providers, educators across the State and their constellations of collaborators, and more, your collective wisdom informed the nation’s “North Star” for STEM. Iowa’s leadership in STEM education, especially in bridging the worlds of education and workforce, inspires many beyond our borders. Our privilege in setting an example for the rest of the country is a tribute to all who support and trust us. We have a solemn responsibility for continuous improvement.
Under the interim directorship of Cindy Dietz alongside expert management by our operations team and regional managers, I was very pleased with the advancements made on a number STEM Council priorities in 2018. Expanded work-based learning for students and their teachers, effective programming scaled to preK-12 educators across the state, State Fair and local festivals celebrating STEM, enhanced communications, classroom rock stars recognition, investments in innovation, a unifying mission statement, and operational efficiencies are just some of the fronts moved forward this year.
Bold vision and intrepid exploration positioned our state as a leader in STEM education. Parents, legislators, employers and our many constituents count on us to define the horizon and stay innovative, equipping young Iowans to command their futures. I look forward to striving alongside you in the weeks, months, and years to come to deliver on that promise. I am humbled and honored to once again lead in service to the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
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STEM Day at the Fair Receives International Recognition
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STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair received first place honors in Sponsorship Continuity at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions 2018 Annual Convention.
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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.
For seven years, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has had a presence at Iowa’s largest event - the Iowa State Fair. What started in a small space in the Kids Zone area on the State Fairgrounds in 2012 grew significantly over the years into 200x20 feet on the Grand Concourse.
Held on the last day of the fair, STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair has become a tradition for many fair-goers from year to year. The day features more than 20 interactive exhibits showcasing STEM programs and partners, a STEM stage with hands-on demonstrations, prizes and more. This annual event reaches hundreds of families and youth in Iowa and helps increase awareness and interest in STEM activities.
The STEM Council works with multiple sponsors and hundreds of volunteers to help make STEM Day at the Fair possible. Ongoing collaboration and partnership with the Iowa State Fair has provided a must-see experience for fair-goers of all ages.
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Corporate Partnerships Fuel STEM Growth Engine
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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.
During the last fiscal year, 64 corporate partners supported the STEM Council by investing nearly $500,000. Cost-sharing partners, including Strategic America, Regional STEM Hub Institutions, STEM Teacher Externship workplace hosts, STEM BEST® Program partners and STEM Scale-Up Program providers contributing more than $2 million combined.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) was awarded a Department of Labor ApprenticeshipUSA grant that included $200,000 assigned to the STEM Council in support of pre-apprenticeships implemented by four STEM BEST® Program partners.
The STEM Council also received a grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from their Resource Enhancement And Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP CEP) for more than $54,000. These funds will provide additional support to the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program by placing Iowa STEM teachers at Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other environmental and conservation worksites to assist with various projects for six weeks in the summer.
Each year, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council engages nearly 100,000 students to increase awareness and interest in STEM through programming, events and messaging. This incredible reach continues to gain momentum and demonstrate impact in Iowa. The STEM Council’s growth and progress is made possible through leadership and guidance from STEM Council Co-Chairs Governor Kim Reynolds and Accumold President and CEO Roger Hargens, the STEM Advisory Council, regional stem advisory boards, bi-partisan support of the Iowa Legislature and generous support from corporate partners.
To learn more about becoming a STEM Council corporate partner, contact Managing Director Carrie Rankin at
Rankin@IowaSTEM.gov
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Reflecting on 2018 STEM Council Programs
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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.
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The STEM Council offers exemplary STEM programs as part of the STEM Scale-Up Program menu. These programs provide high-quality STEM education professional development and curriculum opportunities for PreK-12 educators in schools and in afterschool programs. An estimated 543,774 preK-12 Iowans have participated in Scale-Up since 2012.
For the 2019-20 academic year, the STEM Council approved ten high-quality programs for the STEM Scale-Up Program menu. The application will be open from January 21, 2019 through March 4, 2019. Awarded educators will be able to begin implementing the programs in August 2019.
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Sponsored by Kemin Industries, the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award honors six teachers each year for their outstanding contributions to STEM education in Iowa.
Each teacher receives a $3,000 award, with $1,500 of that for classroom use. The fifth year of awards will be publicly announced on February 13, 2019 at STEM Day at the Capitol.
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The STEM BEST® Program consists of local schools and businesses partnering to develop curriculum and provide work-based learning experiences for students. Students work on projects for local businesses that provide valuable learning and growth opportunities, teach soft-skills and help prepare students for future employment in STEM careers.
Thirteen STEM BEST® Program partners were awarded in October 2018 for a total of 50 partnerships since 2014.
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For six weeks each summer, secondary STEM educators have the opportunity to engage in workplace settings through STEM Teacher Externships. This program helps connect classroom teaching to future careers through real-world applications.
Educators who participate in the program earn a stipend of up to $4,800 and one graduate credit through the University of Northern Iowa’s Continuing Education program.
There have been 495 Teacher Externships and 154 workplace partners since 2009.
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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