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IN THIS ISSUE
STEM Re-alignment Update from the Executive Director
Teachers Answer "Why do a Summer Externship?"
Thank You for Advancing the T in STEM, Ann
Two Programs Earn STEM Seal of Approval
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UPCOMING EVENTS
June 5, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
North Central Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
More information
August 20, 2023 - 9:00 a.m.
STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair
More information
SAVE THE DATE: September 25, 2023
Classroom + Workplace Summit
Iowa Events Center
Des Moines, IA
More information coming soon!
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STEM Re-alignment Update from the Executive Director | |
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The lead story in January’s STEM newsletter was about the prospect of integrating Iowa’s STEM organization with the Iowa Department of Education on July 1. The amazing accomplishments of this organization thanks to you and thousands more advocates were re-accounted as backdrop for the bright horizons of our new home. Since then, numerous re-alignment meetings have sprung up to begin turning our Governor’s charge into reality. One meeting in particular, the April 20 convening of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, netted priceless advice to guide our move. Opportunities foreseen by members include the potential for engaging the Department in STEM, greater reach through Department channels and innovation as a core mission of the Department. There were also plentiful words-to-the-wise including preserving Iowa’s STEM identity, our impactful programs, our nimbleness and of course STEM’s budget.
Today, dozens of professionals across the Department of Education, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Administrative Services, the University of Northern Iowa, the Board of Regents and others are aiding your STEM Council operations team in executing the re-alignment mission. At the same time, all embrace the top priority of seamless service delivery to youth, educators and communities of Iowa throughout and beyond this process. Human resource officers are helping to re-align staff from UNI to the Department. Technology experts are helping to move project management platforms, collaboration suites, websites, e-mails and hardware. Business offices are facilitating a change-over in billing, contracting and fund transfers. Communications managers are synchronizing tools and messages. There’s also grant management, vehicle use and myriad other details being ironed out.
For all the work in progress, STEM advocates can know and count on one sure thing at this time: your operations team have answered this call of our Governor with energy, urgency and devotion. And only through the constellation of helpers ushering us forward will July 1 mark our successful re-alignment. Contact us with any questions or concerns at Info@IowaSTEM.org.
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Teachers Answer "Why do a Summer Externship?" | |
Kelly Giesemann and Steph Monahan, Dubuque High School biology teachers, participated in the STEM Teacher Externships Program with the Clinical and Professional Development Department at MercyOne in Dubuque, Iowa. As part of this experience, they completed a study in the medical unit to gather quantitative data on how nurses spend their time. | |
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It is quite a commitment for an Iowa teacher to block six weeks to experience a workplace that uses the skills and knowledge of the class they teach. Typically, teachers use summer to revise or create new courses, or to further their education, or to teach summer school or coach at a camp. So what attracts dozens of teachers to STEM externships each year? Two incoming externs for summer 2023 shared their reasoning recently.
Bridget Schaufenbuel, Clayton Ridge High School mathematics and computer science teacher, and Aaron Leppert, Southeast Valley High School science teacher, are first-year STEM Teacher Externs who applied for the program to help make a stronger connection between classroom learning and careers.
“I would love to see the connections between content I am teaching my students and how it is used in the workplace. The description of the STEM Teacher Externship Program really caught my attention with the goal to answer the question that kids are always asking: ‘Where am I going to use this?,’ said Schaufenbuel. “In my classroom, I always strive to answer this question for my students because I want them to enjoy learning and see the purpose to motivate them and increase their desire to continue learning for their entire life.”
“Every summer, I like to work in a field outside of my expertise. As a teacher, it is my job to help students grow and become better people and functional adults. A teacher must continue challenging themselves and growing,” said Leppert. “My students do not always see the value in math and science. I plan to gain as many experiences as possible so that I may answer that question or point them in a direction that will best support their goals in life.”
To learn more about the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program, visit www.IowaSTEM.org/externships.
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Thank You for Advancing the
T in STEM, Ann
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Ann Watts led the Microsoft Imagine Academy on behalf of the STEM Council since 2014. | |
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The Microsoft Imagine Academy has bridged Iowa classrooms to the world of work through Microsoft Office training and certification opportunities. The Imagine Academy, led by Ann Watts on behalf of the STEM Council, has reached nearly 40,000 students through curriculum, exams and certifications since 2014.
With more than 20 years of experience with Microsoft, Watts has been instrumental in the success of the program. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions to advancing computer technology in Iowa. After receiving her Master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa, she was responsible for the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) library and computer laboratory. Other prior accomplishments include teaching continuing education in Microsoft Office programs, internet research and library instruction, co-authoring a text book on internet research and helping to coordinate shared workspaces to six DMACC campuses.
As of this May, Watts has completed the algorithm of her highly impactful career in technology and computer science.
“We were very fortunate to find Ann Watts when Microsoft won the competition to provide technology credentialing through Iowa’s STEM Council,” said Jeff Weld, STEM Council executive director. “Corralling her expertise to deliver IT education was the equivalent to getting Peggy Whitson to teach Iowa kids about space. We’re grateful for Ann’s service.”
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Two Programs Earn
STEM Seal of Approval
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From robotics clubs and engineering events to coding programs and ballet performances, STEM can happen almost anywhere. The STEM Council established the STEM Seal of Approval to recognize and support non-Council programs and events that significantly advance STEM in Iowa.
Two programs recently received the Seal of Approval for their ingenuity and innovation in STEM:
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Girls in STEM PJ Party: Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center created the Girls in STEM PJ Party to introduce young females to local STEM women and inspire them to pursue STEM careers themselves. Local women from STEM fields are featured as guest speakers and lead participants in hands-on activities and team building challenges that relate to their careers. This overnight summer camp is geared toward girls entering seventh through ninth grade.
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Plant the Moon/Mars Challenge: The Institute of Competition Sciences launched this global, hands-on science experiment to see who can grow the best crops using lunar regolith simulants. Students (K-12) learn fundamental skills in conducting sound scientific experiments, learn about space mission architectures and gain hands-on experience in conducting real scientific research that may be valuable to NASA and the scientific community. The Plant the Moon/Mars Challenge connects space science and exploration with other STEM topic areas like agriculture, botany, environmental/earth science and biology.
Since 2015, a total of 33 events or programs have received the Seal of Approval.
More information about the STEM Council Seal of Approval and all Seal of Approval recipients can be found at www.IowaSTEM.org/Seal.
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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