IN THIS ISSUE
New Co-Chair to Champion STEM Council
After 15-month Hiatus, STEM Advisory Council Meeting #22
Inspirational Stories Share Decade of Impact
Insider Look at Launching a STEM BEST Program
|
|
May 20, 2021 - 11:00 a.m.
Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
May 21, 2021 - 10:30 a.m.
South Central Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
May 24, 2021 - 12:00 p.m.
Southwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
May 26, 2021 - 11:00 a.m.
Northeast Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
|
|
New Co-Chair to Champion
STEM Council
|
|
Diane Young, Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services, has been appointed STEM Council co-chair to serve alongside Governor Reynolds.
|
|
Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services, Diane Young, to serve as the next STEM Council co-chair, succeeding Accumold CEO and president Roger Hargens.
In 2008, Young’s entrepreneurial vision motivated her to build an analytical laboratory from the ground up in her home community of Cherokee, Iowa. Her business acumen, as well as her experience with laboratory management, sparked her entrepreneurial passion. Foundation Analytical Laboratory provides chemical and microbiological analysis for animal feed, food quality, biofuels, pet food, water quality, and more.
Young has been a long-time proponent of STEM education. This inspiration led to the creation of her science-based business, giving STEM-educated individuals a reason to return to the Cherokee area. By providing quality, high-paying career opportunities in science and technology, she could attract young talent while enhancing her hometown economy. Her team began with two full-time employees and an intern and has now grown to 26 “highly-educated Iowa farm kids who do whatever it takes.”
“Diane Young has a passion for engaging with Iowa students and not only promoting the career opportunities that exist in Iowa—but creating additional opportunities herself,” said Governor Reynolds. “The STEM Council continually strives to give every single student across the state access to STEM education, and Diane’s contributions will be invaluable as we prepare the future workforce and advance STEM in Iowa.”
“I am grateful to Governor Reynolds for choosing me to co-chair the STEM Council,” said Young. “I am honored to be following in the footsteps of the rock stars that have championed this initiative and to work with the extremely talented members of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.”
|
|
After 15-month Hiatus, STEM Advisory Council Meeting #22 |
|
Leaders in business, higher education, PreK-12 educators, nonprofits, state and local government officials met online and in-person at the Iowa State University Student Innovation Center as part of the 22nd convening of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. |
|
The twenty-second convening of the STEM Advisory Council was held at the Iowa State University (ISU) Student Innovation Center on April 29. The Center offers space that inspires innovation through experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration and idea exchange – all of which encompass the mission and goals set forth for the STEM Council.
A hybrid of in-person and online Council members, including leaders in business, education, state and local government officials, ninety in all, safely convened for the first time since the start of the pandemic to pave the path forward for STEM learning in Iowa.
ISU President Wendy Wintersteen welcomed Council members and Co-Chairs Gov. Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director Diane Young opened the meeting.
Several advancements and updates were shared, including:
- Sheila Miller, Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Catholic Middle School teacher, shared about their STEM Scale-Up Program.
- Ann Gritzner, Central Community School District teacher, and several of her students shared about their STEM BEST Program.
- Robbie Cundy, Sioux Center High School mathematics teacher, shared about STEM Teacher Externships.
- Progress updates were provided by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group, the Creativity and Innovation Committee and the Career Guidance Committee.
- Dr. Erin Heiden, Assistant Director for the University of Northern Iowa Center for Social and Behavioral Research, shared key findings and highlights from the STEM Annual Assessment Report.
- Tenth year anniversary planning and re-brand information were also shared.
The meeting closed with remarks and reflection from the STEM Council Co-Chairs.
The 62-member STEM Advisory Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path and to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities.
|
|
Inspirational Stories Share Decade of Impact |
|
The STEM Council is seeking inspirational stories of STEM impact from the past ten years. |
|
Since the STEM Council was formed in 2011, nearly 1,000,000 students have been impacted by the programs and opportunities. Below are some of those stories from the STEM Council’s decade of impact.
Tracy Ferguson, Van Meter Community School District elementary teacher:
“I feel like I am the luckiest teacher in the world to have been awarded the Scale-Up Program for the past four years. These supplies, tools and lesson have become a part of our daily routines in each of the contents areas. I have incorporated STEM into my daily literacy stations. My students would tell you that this is their favorite thing about second grade. The best part of my day is when I witness students listening, collaborating and communicating together in such a respectful manner in order to create that week’s product. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has changed my life. It has brought out a passion of mine that I love to share with my students. If it were not for these programs, students and teacher would not have these rich inquiry learning experiences.”
Chase Krug, former Linn-Mar High School student:
“A STEM Scale-Up program that I have experienced would be the CASE program (Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education). I was able to learn and experience the diversity of agricultural science, develop critical thinking skills such as problem solving and learn universal basic lab skills. The strong scientific understanding and background the CASE [Scale-Up Program] provided, gave me a great advantage in career advancement and opened doors to life-changing opportunities.”
|
|
Insider Look at Launching a STEM BEST Program |
|
Rachael Strong of North Fayette Valley STEM BEST shares tips in the video above for implementing authentic learning for students through the STEM BEST Program. |
|
Authentic learning experiences allow students to gain important life skills at an early age, while equipping them for future education and employment opportunities. STEM BEST Program partner, Rachael Strong of North Fayette Valley, worked with Keystone Area Education Agency to develop a video about how to implement authentic learning for students through the STEM BEST Program.
“If a teacher was wondering how to implement authentic learning within a core class, regardless of the age of the student, I think a good thing to do is to start small. Start with one project that maybe even you as a teacher are passionate about but you know that it aligns with your curriculum standards,” said Strong. She then recommends engaging community partners and colleagues.
Strong also noticed a shift in learning environment from being instructor-led to being more student-led. Last fall, students identified projects they were interested in through the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning. Students could then reach out to the community partner on the Clearinghouse or adapt those projects to their local community.
Another project they have been working on has been establishing an off-campus professional workspace for students that flips the script on the traditional classroom. “We wanted a space that was welcoming to both community partners and to students. When you come here, it's going to be collaborative work and it's going to be impactful work outside of the classroom,” said Strong.
The STEM BEST Program application is open through May 10, 2021. For more information about launching a STEM BEST Program in your community, visit us online at IowaSTEM.org/STEMBEST or contact Tanya Hunt at Hunt@IowaSTEM.org.
|
|
Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
