North Central STEM Region May Updates

North Central STEM Region

July 12, 2022

Congratulations STEM BEST Awardees! We cannot wait to see the wonderful partnerships between local businesses and school districts.

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council announced 12 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program partners for the 2022-2023 academic year. The program encourages collaboration between schools and businesses to develop outstanding STEM coursework curriculum that prepares students for STEM careers and emphasizes the necessary skills required in today’s workforce. With the addition of 12 projects, 147 new or expanded partnerships have been created since STEM BEST launched in 2014.

The STEM Best Program supports school-business partnerships that allow teachers and industry professionals to work together on curriculum and projects that provide students with firsthand experience in an industry or business environment. It also allows businesses to introduce students to the available career opportunities.

The STEM Council Executive Committee voted unanimously to award 12 new or expanded partnerships up to $25,000

each. Participating employer partners contribute to a dollar-for-dollar match with some going above and beyond the cost-share requirement. The awards can be used for the curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration and preparing the work-based learning environment.

To be considered for a STEM BEST Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, real-world learning opportunities and expertise at the post-secondary education and training level. These awardees will

serve as a model to share unique perspective, strengths, demographics and program focus with other schools throughout Iowa.

Visit www.IowaSTEM.org/STEMBEST for more information on the STEM BEST Program and the 147 partners.

Registration is Now Open for the

2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council will be hosting the the 2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit on September 21. The Summit brings together Iowans from business and industry, education, nonprofits, elected officials, students and others to amplify the public conversation about solutions for connecting education and the workforce.

AGENDA

Keynote speakers include Astronaut Raja Chari from Waterloo (invited) and MacArthur "Genius" Dr. Lisa Schulte-Moore of Iowa State University (confirmed)
Iowa futurists interviewed live by Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell
Presentations from Iowa leaders sharing resources and supports for your innovation
Exciting people and projects presenting a slew of options for Iowans to be Future Ready
Showcasing 30+ local innovations in education and workforce development

Admission is free of charge. Free license renewal credit and substitute teacher reimbursement is available for practicing PreK-12 educators. Learn more at: https://iowastem.org/2022Summit

Become a Scale-Up Provider

The Scale-Up Program of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, a signature investment of state and private funds in students and educators with ample accumulated evidence of effect. The Council’s intention is to bring top STEM education opportunities to all learners, especially those historically underserved. The intent is to seed, jumpstart or expand little-known and exemplary programs proven to inspire and educate PreK-12 students, enabling educational organizations to sustain beyond the Council’s trial investment.

For the 2023-2024 academic year the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is seeking program providers for the Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program. If you are interested in providing STEM programming in Iowa and would like to be considered for this initiative, please click on the link below.

Timeline

August 1, 2022: Request for Proposals opens.
August 15-19, 2022: Webinar for Proposers
September 13, 2022, 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (just before midnight): Proposal submission deadline.
September 14 - November 14, 2022: Review period.
November 14, 2022: Proposers notified.
November 15, 2022 - January 2023: Selected Program Providers collaborate with STEM Council network administrators to prepare materials for the educator application phase.

Objective

An eligible applicant will provide STEM program(s) that serve PreK-12 grade audiences in or out of school with the capacity to deliver professional development/training and materials in Iowa. (Professional development/training is appropriate for Iowa STEM Scale-Up Programs when preparing an educator to implement a student kit, curriculum, activity, lesson or new course of study in STEM.)

Eligible applicants

· Business

· Governmental Agency

· Higher Education Institution

· For Profit Organization

· Nonprofit Organization

· Other Organizations providing PreK-12 STEM programs

For further information, visit https://iowastem.org/scaleup-provider-application

Teacher Externs Look to Bring Authentic Learning to Classrooms

Kylie Ruehlow

Kylie is currently doing her externship program at POET in Iowa Falls. There she is learning about analytical procedures in the quality lab as well as learning about operations protocols, two important components to keeping the plant optimized. "I've been learning about the ethanol fermentation process as well as distillation and separation equipment," she said. Kylie has learned how parts of the fermentation process are monitored from the control room and how the team focuses on creating a safe work environment on a day-to-day basis.

When asked if she had any advice for teachers contemplating the opportunity, she said, "It is a great opportunity to gain a new perspective, step out of your comfort zone and bring back a touch of the local community back to your classroom. The relationships that you build are priceless. The people you meet are amazing at what they do."

Shelby Steen

Shelby is doing her externship at a POET facility in Gowrie. There her focus is on testing the mycotoxins within dried distillers grains to make sure the feed is not harming any animals. From time to time she also gathers samples and tests for solids and moisture content.

Shelby commented on how impactful the networking has been during her externship. Her advice was to teachers thinking about doing an externship over the summer was, "just do it!"

Interested in Joining the Advisory Board?

We are actively seeking members who represent:

Community Colleges
K-12 Parents
Non-profit/Informal Learning Environments

If interested, apply here!

Summer STEM Events!

July 14-17 CSTA National Conference

July 18-20 PLTW Training**

July 18-22 Soapy Cilantro Training**

July 18-22 Project GUTS Training**

July 28 Daily Math Training**

August 1-2 ILED Training**

August 4 Water Works Training**

August 4 - Ioponics Training**

August 9 Tiny Techies Training**

August 9-11 Ready, Set, Drone Training**

August 21 STEM Day at the Fair

September 21 Future Ready Iowa Summit

** STEM Scale-Up Program Training

Know of other STEM events in North Central Iowa? Email us at: ncstem@iastate.edu

Connect with us!

NC Regional Manager:

Mauree Haage

Website: https://ncstemhub.iastate.edu

Email: ncstem@iastate.edu

Phone: 515-294-0645

Address:

NC STEM Hub

Extension 4-H Building

1259 Stange Road

Ames, IA 50011