October 2018 Newsletter
2018 STEM BEST Awardees Announced
Thirteen applications were awarded BEST Funding for their projects to increase relevant work-cased learning programs with business partners in the K-12 setting. The Stem Council approved funding for two programs from the Southwest STEM Region:
  • CAM High School with a digital literacy project under the direction of Shelly Miller
  • Woodbine Community School District in partnership with the Mainstreet Woodbine program for a making lab with business partner projects.
More details regarding these program, and a complete list of the other eleven programs may be found at


2018 STEM BEST Awardees

A crew of dedicated reviewers evaluated 21 applications to determine programs with all the required elements, and the rigor desired in creating a future workforce that can rise to the challenges in an evolving technical workforce.
Questions regarding further information may be directed to the STEM Operations Center at UNI.

Future Ready Summit at SWCC Creston Campus
A full room of interested Iowans was a sign of a great event as the committee from the Union County area presented another Future Ready Iowa Summit on October 25th in Room 180 of the SWCC Instructional Center. Topics ranging form student internships, apprentice models and the low unemployment all contributed to spirited discussions and team activities.

Computer Science is Elementary Updates
Planning continues towards a January application date for schools interested in the creation of six elementary centers (one in each STEM region) which would be focused on the language of computer science, Modeled after the Loess Hills Computer Science school in Sioux City, this project is described in greater detail at the Iowa STEM link

H ave you reserved a STEM Festival date Yet?
Contact the SW STEM Hub for a conversation