IN THIS ISSUE
PreK-12 STEM Excellence Begins in Summer
Iowa Teachers Broaden Momentum for Computer Science Education
STEM Teacher Externship Translates into Classroom Experience with Greater Community Impact
2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit Announced
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August 21, 2022 - 9:00 a.m.
STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair
September 21, 2022 - 9:00 a.m.
Future Ready Iowa Summit: All Options on the Table
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PreK-12 STEM Excellence
Begins in Summer
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Iowa educators prepare DNA samples for testing for the gene that determines how their taste buds sense cilantro: like soap (ugh) or like earthy citrus (yum). The program, Soapy Cilantro, being scaled this year to schools and other educational venues, is the brainchild of Dr. Pramod Mahajan, Associate Professor of Pharmacology in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
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Two thousand Iowa educators have fanned out across the state in small groups this summer to get better at teaching STEM. From Sukup Hall at Iowa State University to Cline Hall at Drake, from Southwestern Community College at Red Oak to Schindler Hall at the University of Northern Iowa, from Keystone AEA to the Cherokee Yacht Club, and ninety-five more in-person and virtual gatherings. Some of the best PreK-12 STEM programs, each proven to raise interest and performance of diverse student participants, begin with training the teachers.
Whether librarians, middle school teachers, daycare providers, homeschoolers or other definitions of “teacher,” each of these STEM champs applied for and were awarded a top-notch kit or lesson or software to inspire their students. Some are learning to pilot drones. Others are creating aquaponic gardens. Many are learning to code mini-robots. They’re heading back to class equipped to inspire careers in energy, analytics, agriculture and other exciting fields of STEM.
Approximately one-fifth of all PreK-12 Iowans will benefit from this summer’s training. And if history is any indication – and it hasn’t faltered yet – they’ll outperform their peers in mathematics, science and reading while expressing greater interest in STEM careers and staying in Iowa, according to state test results. So, a tip of the hat and a pat on the back for all of the intrepid teachers getting trained up this summer to inspire Iowa’s future leaders. Iowa’s STEM Council supports you all the way.
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Iowa Teachers Broaden Momentum for Computer Science Education |
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117 Iowans attended the 2022 CSTA Annual Conference in Chicago. |
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As a new basic skill, the demand for computer science education is rapidly growing. To enhance and support the advancement of computer science education in Iowa schools, the STEM Council and Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Iowa partnered to send 117 Iowans to attend the 2022 CSTA Annual Conference. The group included Iowa computer science teachers, educators interested in learning more about how to integrate computer science into their curriculum and others who are deeply involved in computer science education in the state.
Held in Chicago, the conference brought together nearly 1,700 computer science educators for professional development, resources, support and networking. Iowa educators were also eligible to receive license renewal credit for attending.
“I heard over and over again how thankful our Iowa teachers were given this opportunity to attend and gain so much knowledge and materials that they can integrate into their curriculum,” said Mary Trent, Northwest Regional STEM Manager.
Additionally, the STEM Council recently launched a Computer Science is Elementary Mentor Program. These mentors were involved with the Computer Science is Elementary Project aimed at cross-curricular computer science integration schoolwide. Mentors will provide guidance and support to other elementary schools across the state that are creating and implementing their Computer Science plans for their district in line with the Iowa Department of Education legislative requirements. To learn more, contact Northwest Regional STEM Manager Mary Trent at mtrent@iowalakes.edu.
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STEM Teacher Externship Translates into Classroom Experience with Greater Community Impact |
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By learning to make soap for local homeless and community outreach programs,
Des Moines Christian Science Teacher Marc Pedersen plans to teach his students about the molecular extraction process he learned at his summer STEM Teacher Externship Program experience at Kemin Industries.
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Marc Pedersen, science teacher at Des Moines Christian School, partnered with Kemin Industries for the 2022 STEM Teacher Externship Program. During his six-week experience, he extracted molecules from plants and analyzed the data. Through this process he became more familiar with essential oils and learned they are not just a specific chemical, but a myriad of organic chemicals that create the fragrance. Back in his classroom, Pedersen plans to incorporate some of his recent experience into lessons.
“At Des Moines Christian, we have opportunities for the learner to engage in real work that meets a real need for real people,” he said. “My plan is for our students to generate essential oils and then make the soap. Students will get to keep some of the soap, but we hope to donate the rest of the soap to a homeless organization or other outreach program in the metro area.”
Pedersen hopes to make a connection from his workplace experience and chemistry lessons in the classroom to everyday uses and a larger community impact.
“This externship has given me opportunities to work on my chemistry lab skills. I really hope this topic on essential oils, molecules and smells will open up a life-long journey into enjoying the wonderful creation that is around the students,” said Pedersen. “I am able to make my teaching better by seeing how industry does things, what skills and abilities people need to possess to work, and how really cool God’s world is and my students can get to know that!”
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2022 Future Ready Iowa Summit Announced |
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The 2022 statewide Future Ready Iowa Summit: All Options on the Table will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Presented by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and Future Ready Iowa, the Summit brings together Iowans from business and industry, education, nonprofits, elected officials and students to amplify the public conversation about solutions for connecting education and the workforce.
“Iowans are fortunate to have so many options for career-linked learning toward bright horizons,” said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “The challenge we face is awareness of and access to all the opportunities. The mission of this year’s Future Ready Iowa Summit is, therefore, to showcase all the options on the table to accelerate Iowa’s growth and prosperity.”
Two keynote speakers are scheduled to provide future-ready guidance to Iowa. Confirmed is Dr. Lisa Schulte Moore, MacArthur “Genius” awardee and Professor of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and co-director of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. Tentatively scheduled is Air Force Colonel Raja Chari, a Cedar Falls native who recently returned to Earth after six months commanding the International Space Station as NASA astronaut.
The Summit will feature remarks by Gov. Reynolds, a panel of business, culture and education futurists facilitated by Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, and sessions by leaders from across Iowa representing businesses, K-12 education, higher education, economic development, workforce development, nonprofits and professional organizations.
The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For teachers, substitute reimbursement and licensure renewal credit are available at no additional cost.
Interested sponsors of the Future Ready Iowa Summit may contact Carrie Rankin at rankin@iowastem.org.
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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