See what's the latest with SE IA STEM Hub's programming and what's to come for the next month!
IN THIS ISSUE
STEM BEST Application Deadline Extended
STEM Equity Workshop
STEM Twitter chat April 14
Scale-Up Awards Announced
April 2020
SOUTHEAST IOWA STEM NEWS
STEM news just for you!
The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a bipartisan collaboration of legislators, educators, businesses, students and families to increase STEM awareness and opportunities in Iowa. To learn more about STEM programs, events, and resources in Southeast Iowa, visit our website.
STEM BEST Application Extended to June 15
Due to the recent events of COVID-19, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council will be extending the 2020-21 application deadline for the STEM BEST Program to June 15, 2020. To support educators, district leaders and business partners in the development of school-business partnerships through the STEM BEST program, the STEM Council will be hosting open Question and Answer sessions on the following dates:
April 14, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
April 22, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
May 5, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
May 11, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Please complete a registration form and you will receive an invitation closer to the selected event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of quality school-business partnerships?
Since 2014, the STEM Council has awarded 63 STEM BEST grants to public and private K-12 school systems. These programs range from an elementary school coffee shop, to high school internships at local businesses to a school based manufacturing program. High quality applications engage local industries to develop curriculum, provide equipment, and/or engage business professionals in on-going experiences for students.
Who is eligible to apply for the STEM BEST grant?
Public and private K-12 schools or districts are eligible to apply. Although businesses and non-profits cannot be the lead applicant, they are encouraged to apply in conjunction with a school.
How much funding is available?
Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $25,000.
Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom Professional Development Workshop
Fostering Equity in the STEM Classroom is a professional development experience for educators, administrators and community members prioritizing equity, diversity and inclusion. Brought to you by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, this two-day workshop will be held virtually on June 18 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and June 19 from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM and will feature Aris Winger, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Mathematics Enrichment for Diversity and Learning (MEDAL). Three 60-minute webinars will be scheduled to follow the workshop.
With the belief that small changes compound to large transformations, this professional development aims to have participants think critically about their practice, commit to making changes and implement those changes in a way that is pragmatic and meaningful, culminating in a classroom experience where all students in their classroom will feel seen, valued and validated.
Licensure renewal credit is available at no cost, compliments of the STEM Council. Stipends totaling up to $300 per participant will also be available.
On April 7th, over 330 educators across Southeast Iowa were awarded one of 13 available Iowa STEM Scale-Up Programs. These programs will impact nearly 17,000 students in Southeast Iowa and offer curriculum in agriculture, robotics, cybersecurity, innovation, interactive math and more. Now approaching its ninth year, these programs were awarded to cross-curricular educators from PreK-12 schools, after school programs and other educational organizations.
Year after year, the Iowa STEM Council has shown that students who participate in these programs perform better on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress compared to students who did not receive STEM Scale-Up Programming.
The awarding of exemplary STEM curriculum, kits and lesson plans to hundreds of educators who will transform their classrooms, after school programs, daycares and more for thousands of students is no easy decision. A great deal of time and effort are invested in these decisions, relying on heat maps and historical evidence of previous recipients, strong mission-alignment in applicant essays, sustainability plans and other supportive data points. The Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board is a representative body from across the 18 county region and ensures that the state-appropriated support funds are distributed across the region, especially in the communities needing it most (targeting underrepresented student populations and schools with high free lunch rates).
