STEM Scale-Up Awards

Announced on April 7, 2023

NW STEM Region was able to Award 188 Educators affecting about 20,344 students with receiving great STEM programs! Congratulations to all! We look forward to attending great professional development this summer! More detailed information to follow!

No Boundaries 8th Graders

Present to STEM Council

On April 20, The members of the Iowa STEM Coucil gathered at Accumold in Ankeny and was dazzled by the professional presentation of six eighth grade ladies from Okoboji Middle School. The audience was in awe of their professionalism, communication skills, and presentation styles. Some business owners in the crowd even asked if they were looking for employment - they were so impressed! Their instructor, Becky Rients, accompanied the students, and should be quite proud of all the work she has done with these students and more!

Teacher Externs Needed!

Teachers, are you looking for the best professional development experience that

pays you $4800 and 3 Grad Credits?

We are looking for Teachers for fill these spots at our host locations in the NW Region. Please contact Marc Benedict if you are interested at benedict@iowastem.org - Time is limited - Email TODAY!

For more information about our Teacher Externship Program, click here https://iowastem.org/externships

MMCRU STEM Survivor

Themed Festival

NW STEM held a Survivor themed festival at MMCRU Elementary School on April 25, 2023, in Remsen. Families for students in grades PS-8 enjoyed dinner and a Survivor Challenged night! Students were divided between two gyms and had to visit at last 4 out of the 10 challenges to earn a Survivor sticker with in turn earned them their NW STEM Survivor Buff. It was a great night had by all and it was a great turn out!

NW STEM Advisory Board Tours

Storm Lakes Early Elementary

 School's STEM BEST

NW STEM Advisory Board held their April meeting at Storm Lake Early Elementary School on April 21, 2023. Pictured above are ASCEND Students and their instructor. Jacqui Drey presented an update on the EES STEM Best program at Storm Lake Early Elementary School. The focus of this STEM BEST program is expanding knowledge of agriculture. Partners include the Storm Lake High School Ascend program, Ag in the Classroom and several local business partners

Ag in the Classroom - Amy Forette.

Quarterly lessons were provided on various ag topics - food, fuel and fiber. Provided agriculture literacy with rich vocabulary.

Ascend Partnership - SLHS

Students studied construction geometry/algebra in order to construct a custom outdoor classroom table and 14 raised garden beds for student use. They began working on the projects in August and presented at STEM Day at the Capitol this spring.

Business Partners

• Smith Brothers Agronomy - drone presentation
• Vetter Equipment - bring in large equipment for students to experience
• Jones Nursery - field trips to local nursery. Local expert provides instruction on planting.
• Farmer Mark - Adjacent landowner to the school is planting popcorn along the boundary for the students to observe, access and harvest. A gate in the school fence will added for ease of access in the fall. Students experiment on best popping practices.

Plants in the Classroom

Students grow vegetables on site using hydroponics & iopnonics.

Projects on Deck

• Business partner visits
• Transplanting and gardening
• Community raised garden beds
• Best STEMposium - participate in this event at Lakeside Laboratory in Okoboji.
• Create district project page
• The Ascend students have been asked to build vertical planters for the SLHS ecology class.