June 2017 Newsletter

Welcome Iowa STEM Teacher Externs in the SW Region

Orientation is completed and 62 teachers are externing in private businesses and public programs around Iowa, where they are learning about the world of work and creating relevant curriculum for use in their classrooms.

Teachers in previous externship experiences report that he 21st Century Skills identified in the Iowa Core Curriculum take on a new meaning and often give answers to the age old student question "When am I ever going to use this in the real world."

SW STEM Region participants this summer include Kat Wendt from the Glenwood High School who is placed at Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge where she is not only developing school curriculum, but also assisting the park to develop curriculum for visiting school groups.

Nathan VanZante of the SW Valley Middle School is placed at Cold Springs State Park near Lewis where he is finding out about DNR protocols, and water quality testing procedures and processes. His projects will relate to the biological and environmental science units at the middle School.

Great teacher PD, day camps and library programs
Many great opportunities in the SW STEM region for teachers to expand their skills, students to attend a camp or two, and even some great weekend activities provided by local partners at the County and State recreational Areas.

Thanks to the Page and Taylor Farm Bureau for their partnership with IALF for the first Ag professional development event this summer. Field trip day included a visit to the Poet Biorefining Plant near Corning.

Summer camps and mini-festivals are happening in every county. The STEM Hub checkout materials are in high demand this summer. If you plan to use kits or materials please check in to make sure your desired materials are available.

A great theme for summer library programs around the state as "Build a Better World" is being explored and celebrated in many formats. STEM projects fit well into this theme and participants are putting their skiils to good use!

Consider a BEST program for students

Schedule a visit with the SW STEM Regional Manager for details

September 15th will be here before you know it, and all the BEST applications will be submitted as well for the next round of funding to create up to 15 new BEST programs around the state. Will you have an application in the mix?

If you are not aware of the existing 18 programs, check out the additional information provided here .

Programs can be considered for all age-groups of students in your district. Previous awardees can consider an application to grow additional sites in their district.

SW STEM Regional Manager Deb Frazee is available for discussions regarding general questions, information about program models in the state, or other topics that relate to your program.

STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair

The best STEM Festival of all!

All Iowans know about the great foods on a stick at the Iowa State Fair, but how many STEM activities involve sticks as well?

Final details are checked for the biggest STEM Festival in the state. Join thousands of other STEM fans on SUNDAY AUGUST 20th to participate in hands-on activities, find out what your business can do to support the STEM initiative in Iowa, and most importantly what STEM programs are happening in your region.

The Grand Concourse will host all the great STEM ideas so make sure to get the date on your calendar!

Thanks to retiring SW STEM Regional Advisory Board members

New appointments being made

As determined in Executive Order 74 signed in July 2011, there is a STEM Advisory Board appointed in each of the six regions, and a State Council that does work on behalf of the larger State Initiatives.

Two Regional Members have been appointed to the State Council and so will no longer be serving on the SW STEM Board. Thanks to Dr. Barbara Crittenden of Southwestern Community College, and Christopher Russell of Google for their years of service!

Regional members not returning to the SW STEM Board include Barbara Devore of Creston, Carol Lafaver of Creston, and Lori Stitz of Harlan.

The Governor's Office is in the process of making appointments to the Regional Board which are effective July 1, 2017.