December 2021
Monthly News
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IN THIS ISSUE
Iowa’s STEM Council Enters the Scholarship Business
Faces of STEM: Matt Stier Joins STEM Team as SE Regional Manager
Faces of STEM: Teacher Externships Program Coordinators
Faces of STEM: Student Staff Boost Iowa STEM
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January 14, 2022 - 12:00 p.m.
North Central Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
January 21, 2022 - 10:00 a.m.
Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
January 21, 2022 - 12:30 p.m.
Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council Meeting
January 31, 2022 - 1:00 p.m.
Southwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
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Iowa's STEM Council Enters the Scholarship Business |
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New supports for Iowa’s outstanding STEM teachers are coming from the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council in the form of scholarships. Council leaders determined that we need to take immediate action on two fronts: (1) help produce more teachers in the high demand K-12 STEM fields; and (2) help those presently in the field to keep up with rapid advancements in STEM.
Beginning in Spring, 2022, professionals in STEM fields such as actuaries who wish to teach math, engineers who want to teach physics, zookeepers interested in biology teaching, or software developers inclined toward computer classrooms can now compete for scholarships to get there. The quick route to be supported by the Council is the Regents Alternative Pathway to Intern Licensure (RAPIL), an efficient series of online courses followed by a paid internship (https://iowateacherintern.org/). A coinciding marketing campaign is intended to infuse the RAPIL pipeline with lots more STEM career transitioners to teaching.
For those currently teaching STEM classes, knowledge is growing so rapidly it can be difficult to keep up. Life science is being transformed by CRISPR technology. Data analytics takes math to new heights. Lithium puts chemistry in our cars. Python is the new choice for coding. The quantum is transforming physics. Thus, the STEM Council in spring 2022 introduces Latest Information for Teachers (LIfT) scholarships that cover the tuition of teachers taking an update course in these fields at a local community college or university. Ten educators per semester will be selected for tuition coverage along with license renewal credits upon successful course completion and reporting of new additions to their classes as a result.
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Faces of STEM: Matt Stier Joins STEM Team as SE Regional Manager |
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Matt Stier manages the Southeast Region for the STEM Council. |
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Matthew Stier recently joined the STEM team as the new southeast Iowa regional STEM manager. The Southeast Iowa STEM Region consists of a collaborative effort that includes partnerships with The University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College.
“Mr. Stier is an outstanding addition to Iowa’s STEM team, bringing two decades’ experience as a K-12 and higher education STEM educator to bear in serving the STEM Council and constituents,” said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “Iowa’s STEM network of six regions each spanning over 9,000 square miles are so ably managed by some of the most committed and well-versed STEM professionals in the nation. Matt Stier fits right in with special expertise that adds strength to the team.”
Previously Matt served as a high school science educator. In addition to a record of excellence as a teacher, Matt has also supervised student teachers and is academically active in educational research and publication. He has conducted various professional development workshops emphasizing teacher leadership, professional learning and how organizational features can influence school improvement efforts.
“I look forward to supporting the work of our educators and promoting educational equity for all students,” said the new Southeast STEM Regional Manager. “The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council offers numerous programs and opportunities to assist educators with incorporating STEM education and career-linked learning into their curriculum.”
Stier earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He earned a master’s degree in science education from the University of Northern Iowa and is in the process of completing his doctorate in educational leadership from The University of Iowa.
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Faces of STEM: Teacher Externships Program Coordinators |
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Pictured left to right: Jason Lang, Meghan Lang and Marc Benedict are instrumental in leading coordination of the STEM Teacher Externships Program. |
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Career-Linked Learning experiences through the STEM Teacher Externships Program include nearly 700 educator and workplace matches since 2009, reaching thousands of students through career application in the classroom. STEM Teacher Externs have brought dramatic new perspectives that have expanded awareness of local career opportunities and connected classroom curriculum to workplace opportunities, all while enhancing the bottom line of employer hosts.. This impactful program is driven by supervisor Jason Lang, coordinator Meghan Lang and assistant coordinator Marc Benedict.
Each year, these program coordinators recruit STEM teacher externs and workplace hosts, match qualified STEM teachers to workplaces, host trainings and forums, maintain contact and guidance throughout the STEM Teacher Externship experience, ensure graduate credit needs are met, maintain program records and so much more. This tireless work is conducted in addition to and outside full-time teaching careers. Jason and Meghan are science teachers at Cedar Falls High School and Marc is a TLC master teacher at Graettinger-Terril Community School District.
“One of the highlights for me each year is hearing how much teachers have learned during their STEM Teacher Externship and ways they plan to take their experience back to their classroom,” said Jason. “Through that firsthand feedback, we know without a doubt that this program is leaving a mark on the state.”
The STEM Council is currently accepting applications for licensed teachers. Employers can submit a Workplace Host Interest Form to participate in the 2022 summer STEM Teacher Externship Program. For more information, visit www.iowastem.org/externships.
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Faces of STEM: Student Staff Boost Iowa STEM |
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STEM Council operations center student assistant Hannah Butler joined the STEM team in May 2021. |
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Iowa youth are at the heart of STEM Council priorities. Day in and day out, the STEM Council aims to help young people grow in their knowledge of STEM and prepare for the future. The STEM Council is deeply impacted by students as well. From seeing and hearing from students about STEM programs in which they are involved to directly working with students at our Regional STEM Hub Institutions, the STEM Council is made better through student involvement.
One particular student is impacting STEM across the state. Hannah Butler joined the STEM Council operations team, headquartered at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), as a student assistant in early 2021. With a major in digital media production and minor in leadership, she uses her STEM skills to assist with design, research and development, data compilation, management and analysis and much more. These efforts support STEM Council programs, events and day-to-day operations that are necessary to continue to advance STEM education in the state.
With an eye for detail, as well as a hard-working and positive attitude, she maintains a busy academic and extra-curricular schedule. In addition to her coursework and involvement with the STEM Council, Hannah is heavily involved with the Panther Marching Band as head of operations, field coordinator and trumpet player and is also involved in the mascot program, pep band and ESPN3 Broadcast Crew.
“I have loved being able to support STEM initiatives throughout the state, while also getting lots of real-world experience in my field of study,” said Butler.
To learn more about the STEM Council and opportunities to get involved, visit www.IowaSTEM.org.
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Also, please accept our deepest appreciation for all your contributions and advocacy toward the STEM cause in Iowa this past year and beyond. It is only with your ongoing support that we are able to realize profound impact for the youth, families, educators and communities of Iowa.
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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