Lots of places to go, people to meet and sy STEMs to build...

Thanks for a great program year--getting the next one ready!
A " to-do list" with "notes to self" about upcoming events which need you to be part of the process as sy STEMs come together to build opportunities, programs and the future workforce:
  • Register for the Fast Track Iowa's Future Conference at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on June 21st,  All the details and registration link are found at: Fast Track Conference
  • Watch for the release of the BEST Application and convene that committee to think about how a BEST program might fit in your community.  More details can be found at STEM BEST
  • Schedule a visit to the SW STEM Hub for an educator open house on  one of the following days: June 8, 12 or 15 - half a day with opportunities to see the inventory, work on team projects, or develop individual units or activities.  The Hub is located at the SWCC Red Oak Center, 2300 N 4th Street Red Oak   
  • Earn some re-licensure credit from a great 2-day event at the Depot on the IWCC Campus in Clarinda.  Partners Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation, Iowa Farm Bureau and the SW STEM hub are offering another fun class for educators who want to learn more about how science and agriculture work together, check Discovering Ag & Science Class
  • Visit at an event sponsored by the many partner libraries, museums or parks in our great state.  Iowa STEM is so fortunate that partner programs offer day camp events, family programs, and evening activities to meet the schedules of many busy families. 
Professional Development Schedules for 2017-18 Scale-Up Awardees

Providers are contacting all awardees with details for the summer and fall PD events as this newsletter goes to publication.  If you have NOT heard from your provider by June 5th please contact Deb Frazee at the STEM Hub. Attempts to work out conflicts in schedules is a top priority during the month of June.
PD events commence in early July and must be completed by November 2017. Completing the work set by each individual program is a requirement to receive the Scale-Up Award.
  Great year for STEM Festivals

Communities around the SW STEM Region want to say a special thank you to all of the business partners who exhibited or shared their time and talents at a STEM Festival this year.  There have been 15 events with a variety of formats - all day in a school setting, afternoon outside a school facility (Careers on Wheels), at the IPTV Studio in Johnston, evening, Saturday afternoon- hosting over 4500 guests.

The SW STEM Hub wants to recognize a shining STEM Star who as a rookie presenter helped with four festivals and was a student favorite.  Dr. Ryan Shuey, DVM of the Southern Hills Veterinary Services was at multiple festivals and challenged students and adults to think about so many STEM topics and STEM skills needed to be a member of the workforce. (Those folks who stopped at Dr. Ryan's station saw the advanced planning needed in collecting and presenting his sessions with animal specimens.  Educators commented about how different this was compared to purchased specimens in a classroom.)
An inventor surfaced during the STEM Festival season, so also a big thank you to Nathan Van Zante of the SW Valley Middle School who created and displayed at many festivals, his Thor's Hammer and other devices that thrilled students and adults alike.
Also a special thank you to the Green Hills AEA Technology team who supported multiple festivals with their arsenal of technology.  Again capturing the interest of students and adults, their large display was a great addition to the STEM Festival Line up.
And for greatest distance travelled, kudos to the IPTV Education Team which also provided a station at many of the STEM Festivals and did multiple outreach activities in many formats.

Partners are already asking about scheduling a date for a the 2017-18 program year so if you are interested please contact the STEM Hub so we can have a conversation.
Greatness does STEM from Iowans--STEM Festivals are the proof.
 
To be sure you don't miss out, also circle Sunday August 20, 2017 on your calendar for the grandest of all STEM Festivals - the STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair which has something for everyone to do.


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