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Southwest STEM Region on the go again...
The Future Ready Iowa Law signed at the Summit in Des Moines on April 3rd, 5 great STEM Festivals in the Region, Scale-Up Awardees named and the weather of all kinds - just a taste of great things from April 2018!
The Future Ready Iowa Summit was held at the Iowa Events Center on April 3rd. A large crowd gathered to hear speakers from national to local importance, including Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi, and a host of state leaders in the areas of education and work.
Also featured in the Showcase of Learning was the IKM-Manning BEST Program FIRE . The students were on-hand to talk about their community learning projects and their self-designed classroom.
Festivals in the Great SW STEM Region
STEM Festivals in the SW STEM Region to not only learn about what professionals do everyday in their occupations, but to also find folks who care deeply about students, what they are learning to become workers in future positions, and how they can be part of the events that shape the future of all of us!
Festivals in April were held at the
  • Lewis Central Middle School,
  • SW Valley Middle School in Villisca,
  • Riverside Elementary at the Oakland Community Building,
  • AHSTW at the school facility in Avoca, and last but not least the
  • Griswold CSD is hosting their first every Festival as the newsletter goes to press!
In less than 30 days, in a 100 mile radius, over 175 community businesses, colleges, service organizations and clubs came forward to help make a difference. Thanks to you all!
April 10th was the state-wide announcement of Scale-Up Awards for the 2018-19 Year which starts July 1, 2018. In the SW STEM Region there were 167 applications representing about 300 educators who touch 15,000 students on a daily or weekly basis.
Because the requests were much higher than the anticipated award from the legislature, a waiting list is also being used.
SERVICE at its BEST..thank you!
This month a special thank you to all of the great STEM Volunteers who took time to review Scale-Up applications, serve on panels and committees, and do their part to help grow that future workforce!
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STEM BEST Application materials to come out in May
With updates and an updated application process, the STEM BEST Grant program, dates have been released for the Fall 2018 Cycle. Grant awards of up to $25,000 will made to innovative programs which unite educators and employers to expand the learning continuum from school to careers, for students in K-12 programs across the state.
May 8 - Application information available at www.iowastem.gov
June 5 - Application goes live
September 14 - 5 pm Applications due
Late October - Award recipients Announced.


Upcoming Events of Interest...

June 13th FFA Enrichment Center Ankeny-- Future Ready
Learning
July 9 - October 30th - Scale-Up required Professional
development for Awardees. Details will be coming soon.

Thinking about a visit to the SW STEM Hub for an open house over the summer? Contact SW STEM Regional Manager Deb Frazee to discuss opportunities for you and your peers to visit, check out materials and equipment, talk about curriculum ideas or interests.
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SWCC STEM Region - SWCC Red Oak Center - Red Oak Iowa