September 2018

Kristine Bullock
SE Hub Manager


STEM Family Free Night Last Friday of the month 5:00-8:00 Iowa Children's Museum

Future Ready Iowa Regional Summit October 2, Davenport

CoderDoJo Oct 6 1:00 - 3:00 Cedar Rapids



Lee County Salute to Industry October 10 11:00 -1:00, Fort Madison

Johnson County STEM Festival October 10 4:00 - 7:00 Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa
 
CoderDoJo Oct 20 1:00 - 3:00 Cedar Rapids
Nature Play: Reptiles Oct 21 1:30 - 3:00 Kent Park

Future Ready Iowa Regional Summit November 13, Hiawatha
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. 
 
Iowa STEM Scale-Up Computer Science Principles
Brings Coding To Iowa High Schools

Since its launch in 2016, thousands of students across the country take AP Computer Science Principles every year. Enrollment in the course is growing annually and Iowa schools are no exception thanks to the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council. CS Principles is a project-based class designed by the College Board and Code.org to be a unique software development class. As of this fall, the Iowa STEM Hub, in partnership with NewBoCo, have integrated Computer Science Principles into 12 schools in Southeastern Iowa.

CSP curriculum involves introductory lessons on programming languages such as Python and Java in addition to demonstrating real-world software knowledge, such as networking, the internet, digital ethics, and social media. Sharon Flinspach, who has taught software development for nearly 40 years, is teaching CS Principles for the first time this year at Fairfield High School. " I think it is important for high schoolers to understand computer science ideas because so many careers require the use of computers and students need to understand more than just how to use certain pieces of software. I think they need to have an appreciation for the history of computers and the basic principles behind how they work," she says.

A project made by a CS Principles student at IC West High using ALICE software.

As part of the program, CS Principles students have the opportunity to earn not only high school and community college credit just by taking the course, b ut also potentially earn credit at a four-year university computer science program by taking the College Board exam in the spring. Students taking the exam are also expected to submit a portfolio of programming projects. In Dominic Audia's CS Principles class at Iowa City West High, he encourages students to work together to solve problems. "The class is collaborative like the real world. It's okay to make mistakes because that's how you learn," he says.

After having AP Computer Science A at West High for several years, introducing CS Principles served as a way for students of all backgrounds and interests to engage in course that teaches them real-world knowledge of the evolving digital world. "Everybody can take this class! It's designed to be very inclusive. There are no prerequisites, and it's engaging to all genders. CSP bridges the gap between students with programming experience and those without," Audia says.

To learn more about how Iowa STEM Scale-Up programs are transforming classrooms across Iowa, visit https://iowastem.gov/Scale-Up.

 
Iowa STEM Council Seeking Innovative Proposals
Applications accepted September 4 - October 8, 2018

A goal of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is to support research based STEM education proven to promote, inspire and engage youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities and to introduce youth and their parents to careers through STEM.

 

In support of that goal, the Iowa STEM Council is launching a statewide Innovation Fund, a financial resource available to organizations with ideas for innovative STEM programs that show promise for supporting the goal.  The intention of this fund is not to support past or current STEM Scale-Up programs with additional resources, but rather serve as an incubator for new STEM Scale-Up programming (https://iowastem.gov/Scale-Up).  Programs wishing to be selected for the Iowa STEM Scale-Up program menu will be evaluated through the STEMworks database at https://cte_rating.wested.org/how-it-works/ia.php.

 

The Iowa STEM Council invites applications for ideas that will have an impact upon Iowans locally, regionally, and potentially on a statewide level.  The Iowa STEM Council will not fund marketing or promotional campaigns for commercial products or services, nor will it fund policy advocacy activities.

 

Available Funding

 

Awards will range from $500 (minimum) up to a maximum of $10,000 per award. Applicants must provide a 10% cash match.  All programs funded must be completed within one calendar year of the award date with a final report due at the end of the award period.  A reporting template will be provided.  Funding will be provided on a cost reimbursement basis.  The Iowa STEM Council reserves the right to determine the number of awards made based on the quality of applications and availability of funds. 

 

Eligible Applicants

 

Organizations eligible to apply for the STEM Innovation Fund are Iowa's public and private educational institutions, home school associations, area education associations, and Iowa-registered non-profits. Individuals or for-profit entities are not eligible to apply-though those groups may be partners in the work conducted by the award recipient. Though for-profit businesses do not meet the eligibility to apply, they are encouraged to be a part of a partnership program which would be submitted by an eligible entity on behalf of all of the partners.

 

More information about the application can be found here. 

 

Questions?  Contact Kristine Bullock at kristine-bullock@uiowa.edu

 
 
 
 
STEM Council Launches Computer Science is Elementary


(DES MOINES) - Gov. Kim Reynolds and Roger Hargens, CEO of Accumold, co-chairs of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, on Monday announced a project to launch six innovative computer science elementary schools. The six high-poverty schools will be competitively selected to transform existing buildings with engaging computer science instruction. This will create more opportunity for their students, including real-life work experiences with area employers. It also will establish a network of computer science expertise as a resource for all public and non-public elementary schools across the state.

Loess Hills Computer Science Elementary School in Sioux City is the inspiration for the Computer Science is Elementary project. The district pioneered one of the first computer science elementary schools in the nation in 2015 when Loess Hills started teaching computational thinking and other skills, such as problem solving and teamwork. Loess Hills will serve as a blueprint for the project, which aligns with the Future Ready Iowa initiative to prepare more Iowans for rewarding, high-demand jobs.

"Computer science is a new basic skill in the 21st century," Gov. Reynolds said. "It is critical to build a strong foundation early so students are ready for outstanding career opportunities in a technology-driven economy. These are Iowa jobs that pay well with a lot of potential for growth."

"The computer science workforce shortage that employers face will grow unless we accelerate computer science instruction in K-12 schools," Hargens said. "Many more jobs will require at least some computer science in the future, even if they are not strictly IT positions."

Gary Scholten, executive vice president and chief digital and information officer at Principal Financial Group, is leading corporate engagement and support for the project. The campaign is working to raise $450,000 from the private sector by December 2018: $50,000 one-time planning grants for each of the six schools; $50,000 for Loess Hills Computer Programming School to serve as a blueprint; and $100,000 for a project manager. Once the six schools are launched, they will operate with regular school funding like Loess Hills Computer Programming School in Sioux City. Contributions so far include $175,000 total from Principal Financial Group, MidAmerican Energy Company, Rockwell Collins and Kemin Industries.

The Computer Science is Elementary Advisory Group will meet Aug. 29 to begin designing the criteria to select public and nonpublic elementary school awardees. In January 2019, the STEM Council will issue requests for proposals and plans to announce the awards in spring 2019.

The Computer Science is Elementary project will enhance other work to expand computer science, including a $1 million fund to prepare Iowa's computer science teacher workforce. This follows a new state law encouraging elementary, middle and high schools to offer high-quality computer science instruction and the State Board of Education recently adopting statewide voluntary computer science standards

For more information, please contact Carrie Rankin, Managing Director, Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, at Rankin@IowaSTEM.gov, 319-273-2757 or 319-269-4116.

 
Available Resources
A collection of resources for STEM educators, businesses, and community members
 
Virtual Reality Headsets
6 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