June 2018
 

Jeff Beneke
Northeast Regional
STEM Manager 
 
[email protected]
319-273-7397 (office)

neiowastem.com


  


Upcoming Events
     
June
STEM BEST Online Application Portal Opens


July thru September
Training for Scale-Up Programs


August 19
STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair


September 12
Deadline for STEM BEST Application


October 18
Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival
Fayette


November 8
Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival
Waterloo



Have an event
coming up?
  Submit it here!    
 
 
Northeast Region
of the Iowa 
 Governor's STEM Advisory Council
 Advisory Board


 Jane Bradley
 Hawkeye Community  College

Sue Burrack
Upper Iowa University

Lisa Chizek
North Tama County Community School District

Kendra Crooks
 Chickasaw County Extension and Outreach

 Kelly Cooper
 Dubuque Area
Labor- Management Council

 Erin Dragotto
 National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

 Scott Fortune
 Upper Iowa
Tool & Die and Innovations

 Doreen Hayek
 University of
Northern Iowa

 Chad Heinzel
 University of
Northern Iowa

Ellen Heuer
 Martin Brothers Distributing

Bill Holland
JB Holland Construction

 Mason Kuhn
 University of
Northern Iowa

 Jason Martin-Hiner
 Keystone Area
Education Agency

Kim Miller
TDS Automation

 Norma Thiese
 Retired



  
World#STEM in YOUR WORLD 

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Counci l has long supported the interdisciplinary approach to STEM. This  encourages STEM teaching and learning to be focused on the application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics while also interweaving the practice of collaboration, problem-solving, communication and critical thinking.
 
Combining real-world skills with STEM applications has proven to help prepare students for future careers , as well. These soft-skill lessons work seamlessly into STEM education and provide the foundation that will strengthen Iowa's economic and workplace development.
 
Now, Iowa STEM wants to hear from you in a creative way to encourage thinking of STEM as more than just an acronym. Where do you see STEM in your world? Share photos and videos with a description of your STEM story on social media using the hashtag #STEMInYourWorld and engage with others online to see the real examples of STEM in our everyday lives.
 
Whether it's in your classroom, at your dinner table or walking in the park, share with us where you see, use, practice and admire STEM! You may even find your pictures and stories as a part of the STEM in Your World campaign exhibit at STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair on August 19, 2018.
  
  
CedarNorth Cedar students use STEM BEST grant to start coffee shop 

North Cedar Elementary School in Cedar Falls received
a STEM BEST® award in 2016. Since receiving the award, they have worked in partnership with Sidecar Coffee to learn about the science of roasting and brewing coffee and the process involved in creating and marketing their own product. A total of 74 bags of coffee were sold in the first order to families within the school.  
 
 
  
CAPSNortheast Iowa STEM Hub works with Cedar Falls CAPS student     

During late fall of 2017, the Northeast Iowa STEM Hub worked with a student from Cedar Falls CAPS (a 2017 STEM BEST® awardee) Communication and Design program to create and design the promotional videos for the upcoming Northeast Iowa Regional Family STEM festivals.
 
Follow the link for the unveiling of the  
2018 Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival video   
 
 
  
DELCODELCO BEST students present projects 
 
West Delaware County Community School District earned a STEM BEST® award in 2016, community leaders have committed their interest in DELCO BEST and will bring new projects to the program come fall.
 
 
  
applicationIowa STEM BEST application available 
 

 
A priority for the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council for 2018-2019 is to expand the community of innovative STEM education models that unite educators and employers to expand the learning continuum from school to careers.  Known as Iowa STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers), these programs are now generating new excitement around the state as meaningful activities and experiences are created and refined in the K-12 educational area. Further details on these awarded programs can be found at  https://www.iowastem.gov/STEMBEST/application.

A hallmark of Iowa STEM education is the connection of classroom learning to meaning beyond the school walls. Overarching guidelines are provided to assist proposers, though ample flexibility in design is encouraged to support organic development of STEM BEST® programs which match local strengths, challenges and resources. STEM BEST® models are open to K-12 applicants. Past STEM BEST® award recipients are eligible to apply for expanding current programs.
 
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
  1. Applications for STEM BEST® must be submitted by Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12. Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering school/districts and community partners.
  2. For those applicants who have previously been awarded a STEM BEST® grant, or intend to connect to a past STEM BEST® awardee, please note that there is an extra component in the application that must be completed as part of the submission process.
Grant Funding: Up to $25,000
 
An applicant is required to provide a 1:1 match, up to $25,000. The match may be either cash or in-kind support. The match may be contributed by the applicant or a community partner. To be eligible as match, the cash or in-kind contribution must be provided during the funding period of the STEM BEST® grant.

Funding Period: Award notice date, to June 30, 2019
Grants must be fully expended by June 30, 2019
 

APPLICATION TIMELINE
  • June 2018: Application portal opens
  • September 12, 2018: Application due
  • September 17 - October 12, 2018: Application review
  • October 25, 2018: Awards announced
  • June 30, 2019: Award must be fully expended
The application portal will open in June but applicants may get a head start on the application process by reviewing a sample of the application here.