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February 2023
Monthly News
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IN THIS ISSUE
STEM Day at the Capitol Shows ROI to Legislators
Regional Advisory Board Members Convene to Share Practices
STEM Council Members Do More than Counsel
Top STEM for Every Child via Scale-Up
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March 7, 2023 - 9:00 a.m.
North Central Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
March 21, 2023 - 12:00 p.m.
Southwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
March 23, 2023 - 11:00 a.m.
Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
March 24, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
March 27, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Northeast Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
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STEM Day at the Capitol Shows ROI to Legislators | |
At STEM Day at the Capitol on February 8, educators and students filled the Capitol Rotunda to share the return on investment (ROI) in STEM Council programs with Iowa legislators. | |
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Programs of Iowa’s STEM Council inspire STEM teaching that gives students the technical and intellectual tools they need to connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world applications. High demand STEM jobs in business and industry across the state make STEM study an essential economic development force too.
At STEM Day at the Capitol on February 8, Iowa's STEM programs that are shaping future citizens and workers were prominently featured. The Capitol Rotunda was filled with STEM exhibits to showcase the significant influence STEM Council programs have had on youth and educators all around the state. The exhibits included STEM BEST Program models, Computer Science is Elementary project schools, STEM Scale-Up Programs, the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program, and more.
Sponsored by Collins Aerospace, STEM Day opened with a call from executive director Jeff Weld for the day to be an annual demonstration to investors, Iowa legislators, of the return on investment (ROI) they’ve come to expect. Students who take part in STEM programs “find their passion and purpose,” said Weld, “for about $63 dollars per participant.”
Senators Chris Cournoyer (R) and Eric Giddens (D) shared with attendees their enthusiasm for STEM both as STEM professionals outside of their elected roles, as well as within the Senate as STEM education advocates.
Council co-chair Diane Young of Cherokee offered her perspective as a business leader and community champion for STEM as the engine of vitalization at the local and statewide levels. And Adriana Johnson, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Collins Aerospace, reminded attendees of the dependence that Iowa employers like hers have on the success of STEM Council programs and others that are preparing tomorrow’s innovators.
To view photos and videos from STEM Day at the Capitol, visit the STEM Council Facebook page.
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Regional STEM Advisory Board Members Convene to Share Practices | |
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Regional STEM Advisory Board members from Iowa's six STEM regions attended a
"mega-meeting" to share ideas for increased impact.
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The Iowa STEM Council’s implementation network consists of six geographic regions strategically positioned across Iowa. This structure helps deepen and broaden access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational and economic development opportunities and each region is supported by a Regional STEM Advisory Board with members appointed by the Governor. Guided by the Regional STEM Manager, board members work together to advise and coordinate resources for further reach in each region.
The six Regional STEM Advisory Boards were convened earlier this month for a mega meeting to share regional best practices, explore ideas for STEM programming and foster collaboration among regions. More than 50 advisory board members joined the STEM Network Team at the Lucas Building in Des Moines following STEM Day at the Capitol.
“Each year, we progress on our promise of world-class opportunities for each and every young Iowan and there is still work to be done. The not-so-secret to success has been and always will be the selfless devotion of many passionate advocates,” said Jeff Weld, STEM Council executive director.
According to the latest Iowa STEM Evaluation Report, more than 70,000 youth were impacted by the STEM Scale-Up Programs facilitated in each region, more than 20,000 Iowans were engaged in community STEM festivals and 1,325 new connections were made with businesses, workforce development, economic development and education leaders. This impact is made possible through the dedication and commitment from regional support. For more information about the Regional STEM Advisory Boards, visit www.iowastem.org/regions.
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STEM Council Members Do More Than Counsel | |
As a member of the STEM Advisory Council, MakuSafe Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Gabe Glynn supported STEM Day at the Capitol and engaged with legislators, teachers and students. | |
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The STEM Advisory Council consists of a group of leaders in education, business and industry, state and local government and nonprofits who collaborate to boost STEM education and innovation. From serving on application review teams and working groups to volunteering at events and assisting as speakers or presenters, the Council is deeply entrenched in delivering high-quality STEM opportunities to students.
Recently, STEM Advisory Council member and MakuSafe Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Gabe Glynn attended STEM Day at the Capitol where he shared about the impact and return on investment of STEM Council programs.
“When I see what the young people of Iowa are doing through STEM, with the help and support of Iowa’s passionate educators, I see an incredibly bright future. As a Council member, I get a front row seat to the creative vision of Iowa’s youth,” said Glynn.
STEM Advisory Council member and Winterset High School teacher Kacia Cain recently reviewed applications for the STEM BEST Program.
“When I first joined the STEM Council, I was not sure what to expect or how long it would last. I knew, as a science teacher, that science, technology, engineering and mathematics were important for Iowa students and the state,” said Cain. “Now, all these years later, the STEM Council is still expanding its outreach and has become a model for STEM nationally and internationally.”
Iowa continues to see advancements in STEM education and careers. With support and advocacy from members of the STEM Advisory Council, we can look forward to further progress and growth in STEM for years to come. The STEM Council member roster can be found at: https://iowastem.org/council.
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Top STEM for Every Child
via Scale-Up
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Abbie Chesling, teacher at St. Malachy Catholic School, and some of her kindergarten students demonstrated Storytime STEM-packs, a popular Scale-Up Program, at STEM Day at the Capitol. | |
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Moons mats, Bee-Bots, drones and snap circuits are some of the learning tools offered, along with corresponding curriculum and training, through the Council’s STEM Scale-Up Program. Developed over a decade ago with the intent that all Iowa youth get access to the world’s top STEM resources, Scale-Up Programs make learning about science, technology, engineering and yes, especially mathematics, enjoyable.
Abbie Chesling, kindergarten teacher at St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston, received Storytime STEM-packs for her classroom. The units cover engineering, technology and problem solving. The program has different themes from which teachers can choose to use alongside their classroom curriculum.
“We use the moon mats, moon rocks and boulder cards along with the Bee-Bots to problem solve. The problem, the boulders are in the way and need to be avoided while moon rocks are collected,” said Chesling. “Outside of the curriculum, the students used the Bee-Bot, balloons and other supplies to create a parade float. Students coded their parade float to go down the hallway to the main office. This program is amazing and has different themes for teachers to choose from.”
Iowa legislators received a glimpse into Chesling’s classroom when she and some of her students brought their STEM Scale-Up Program to STEM Day at the Capitol. Thousands of educators in and out of schools deliver STEM Scale-Up Programs to nearly 100,000 young Iowa learners each year, engaging them in the best STEM learning resources known to exist. Learn more about the STEM Scale-Up Program by visiting www.iowastem.org/scale-up.
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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