The STEM Council is partnering with the Iowa Area Education Agencies Online (AEA) to provide Design Days – six 30-minute mini-sessions through October and November and a one-day session in early November to share information and provide STEM BEST Program design support. This opportunity is offered to help local school districts that are interested in applying for the STEM BEST Program navigate the process.

In the mini sessions, facilitators will cover relevant components of a STEM BEST Program proposal. The day-long session will offer in-depth best practices and a walk through all the sections of the application.

The goal of the STEM BEST+ H.D. Program is to support the launch of new or expanded STEM BEST Program models specifically focused on creating work-based learning opportunities that allow students to develop future-focused, high-demand skills through authentic real-world experiences.

IGNITE Pathways (IRPC), a STEM BEST Program at Woodbine Community Schools, focuses on connecting students with skills that brings real world relevance to learning.

“The amount of community members showing interest in the IPRC based on the STEM BEST programming has allowed us the opportunity to showcase a 'new way of learning' that connects directly to businesses and industry needs within our region,” said Justin Wagner, Superintendent of Woodbine Community Schools and IGNITE Pathways. “The STEM BEST program within the IPRC now impacts over 200 students and is providing experiences our students did not previously have available to them and will positively shape their future decisions.”

Applicants must be an established public or private school of Iowa and can apply for up to $40,000 to bring authentic learning opportunities to students through business and education partnerships.

The application opens October 2, 2023. More information is available at iowastem.org/stembest.

Eighty-two teachers are back in the classroom with another effective tool in their instruction toolbox following their summer STEM Teacher Externship. One school district will experience ample work-based application in classrooms after five externs from the Clinton Community School District took part in the summer program.

High School Mathematics Teacher Zach Mohr was placed with Zurn Elkay, a clean water products company, where he aided the engineering team in the development of a system to more efficiently bring parts to the manufacturing floor.

“I am enjoying the fact that I am being challenged to think differently than how I would from the day-to-day teaching that I normally do,” said Mohr. “I think we all can fall victim to our daily habits and norms in life, and this experience has been so new to me and every day I feel that I am growing as an individual, as well as an educator.”

High School Science and Mathematics Teacher Bill Feaster worked with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at the Maquoketa Wildlife Unit. Eighth Grade Mathematics Teacher Eric Brown and High School Mathematics Teacher Albert Hayton both completed an externship at Custom-Pak, a plastic molds maker. Brown and Hayton worked together on capability studies, specifically establishing a database of statistics and calculations to evaluate if the manufacturing process for specific parts is statistically able to meet requirements and specifications of the customer. High School Welding Teacher Ted Lamb worked with M. A. Ford, a machining tools manufacturer, to develop guidelines for drafting and print creation and utilized multiple computer-aided design (CAD) drafting software

“The program is very rewarding,” said Lamb. “I teach vocational classes, so getting firsthand experience of what employers are looking for is the best experience that I can take back to my classroom.”

To learn more about the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program for the 2024 experience, visit iowastem.org/externships.