May was a great STEM event every day!
Up and coming STEM events - get your calendar ready!
What to do in June?
See what's happening this month:
STEM in summer reading at the over 750 public libraries of Iowa.  The theme this year " A Universe of Stories", including some great STEM themes, like the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, and weather of all kinds, and great ideas for building and challenging your reading skills. 
Many thanks to SW STEM Regional Board member Misty Grey who is the library representative for the region.
Also there are many day camp opportunities in every Iowa county sponsored by programs such as the ISU Extension and Outreach, or the YMCA.  In the SW Region great opportunities exist and many events are using shared materials from the SWE STEM Hub Check-Out Library.
And don't forget a great big to do- enjoy ice cream, and sunshine, and flowers and many other great prizes around us!

Thanks to the many Festival Volunteers in the SW STEM Region!
With 22 outstanding Festival completed for youth and families, and six adult STEM training events, it has been a great run this year in the SW STEM Region.  Due to the many extra volunteer hours, the support of over 200 businesses in the region and close by, and the partnerships of many educators, over 4900 extra STEM guests were engaged, fun memories created, and the curiosity or learning for adventures was moved along on an important path. 
The STEM Festival season is already in a planning mode for after July 1, so if you or your program is interested in information, please reach out to the SW STEM Manager Deb Frazee or a member of the SW STEM Regional Advisory Board.

STEM Best Application Cycle Opens
The STEM Advisory Council is now accepting applications for the STEM BEST® Program through September 13, 2019.    A total of 50 STEM BEST® Programs have been awarded throughout Iowa over the past five years. These programs are now creating new excitement around the state as roles and responsibilities for meaningful activities are created and refined in the K-12 educational area.
Program Goal
The goal of STEM BEST® Program is to unite educators and employers to expand the learning continuum from school to careers. The STEM Council has designated a portion of the state legislative funding to support the establishment of Iowa STEM BEST® Program models, preferably evenly distributed across each of Iowa's six STEM regions. Successful applicants will become an Iowa STEM BEST® Program model of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Applications will be accepted for the BEST program through September 13, 2019 with an informational webinar for applicants scheduled on August 20th at 330 pm. (more details tba).
Upcoming Dates of Importance:

Professional Development for SW Region Scale-Up Awardees:

STEM In Action (1/2 day options)
July 18 - Avoca GHAEA
July 23 - Creston SWCC

Making STEM Connections and Pint Size Science
July 31 - Red Oak SWCC
August 13 - Harlan IWCC

Light and Shadow
July 24 - Creston SWCC
July 29 - Avoca GHAEA

Computer Science Fundamentals
August 6 - Creston SWCC

Pictured above is the wall at the Woodbine School library where remodeling and fitting for a great makers environment has been progressing in the school year .
The CAM High School BEST program known as the CAM Digital Network [awarded in 2018] had a booth and presentation at the George Couros Event in Creston on May 7th. Many Iowa educators are familiar with his work "The Innovator's Mindset."
]