April Monthly News & Updates
Scale-Up Awards (and a waiting list as well), Conferences and Professional Development, year-end evaluations, and lots of planning for coming months....
 
For the SW STEM Region:
Scale-Up Program received 120 applications representing over 390 educators in formal and informal settings were received.  These applicants were divided into over 80 funded in Tier one awards and the remaining applications are considered Tier 2 (a waiting list). 
Summer professional development (a required part of the STEM Process) will begin in late July and
continue through the fall months.  Providers from multiple states will be rolling-out the programs for the 2017-18 year.
TLC teams from districts around the state gathered at The Learning Center in Huxley to explore ways in which the Governor's STEM Program could help districts participate in or benefit from services.  Many great ideas were discussed and take-aways were significant. Districts from the SW STEM Region represented included Woodbine, Boyer Valley and South Page.
Library staff from across the western side of Iowa were hosted at a spring conference held at the Atlantic Public Library on April 6th. Many thanks to SW Advisory Board Misty Gray and her committee for a great event which created dialogue about ways in which communities can utilize library services and resources to grow the future work force.  Technology, makers spaces, book clubs, story times, help lines--and so much more-a great experience for all who participate!
Congratulations to the Hamburg Schools-Elementary and MS- for their great showing at the Iowa Afterschool Alliance Conference and Award Ceremony on April 27th.  The Farm School program and multiple volunteers who support that program-were recognized.
Upcoming Events

Teacher Workshops sponsored by Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation and partner organizations will be held on June 5-6 at the IWCC Campus in Clarinda.  The topic for these sessions is "Discovering the Science of Agriculture" and is designed for those who have an opportunity to relate what science and technology look like in the world of agricultural products and employment settings.  For more information contact Iowa Ag Literacy at 515-331-4182  or www.IowaAgLiteracy.org.
SW STEM Region Educators wanting to do a " Summer Camp Day" at the STEM Hub in Red Oak should contact SW STEM Manager Deb Frazee to get a time set.  Proposed dates are June 8, 12 or 15th.  This experience is what was formerly called an Educator Open House and provides opportunities for educators to ask questions about STEM, see check-out materials available , and develop new curriculum or activities.
Want to be a part of the Future Ready Iowa movement? Here's the first step-Register today for the "Fast-Track Iowa's Future" Conference to be held on June 21 at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines get started with STEM and Work-Based Learning!

Fast-Track Conference Information
STEM Spotlight - It Takes a Team or 15!

Rather than singling-out a specific contributor this month, the SW STEM Hub salutes all those partners who have worked to create wonderful STEM Festivals in their respective communities - some have been in school gyms, some in community centers, two were even held at the SW STEM Hub in Red Oak.
The SW STEM Region will have partnered in 15 outstanding Festivals this year, not including the great STEM Day at the State Fair where we see folks from the region as well. 
The support of business partners and community organizations, as well as college students and instructors, and even elementary and MS-HS students who share information and create an exciting opportunity for guests to learn about STEM topics, has been phenomenal! 
Whether talking about how to work in teams, or use specific technical skills or equipment, to learning about jobs in local communities, or post-secondary educational opportunities--STEM festival have it all! 
The phrase that has been used repeatedly this year as guests arrive at a Festival - "a lot to see and a short time to take it all in."
Thanks committees and volunteers - because of your support, additional STEM opportunities for 4,575 guests have been created around the region.  It may not happen in a single event, but together we are all working to grow STEM awareness and opportunity in the SW STEM Region.

Southwest Region Iowa Governor's STEM Program SWCC Red Oak Center  SWSTEM@swcciowa.edu
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