 Kingsley-Pierson Elementary participated in the 2023 STEM Scale Up Program.
Fourteen programs offer hands-on STEM experiences to PreK-12 students for 2024-2025 academic year
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is pleased to announce the opportunity to apply for world-class STEM Scale-Up Programs for the 2024-2025 academic year will open January 8, 2024. The application period for the STEM Scale-Up Program closes on February 27, 2024, at 4:59 p.m. The selected educator recipients will be announced in April.
The STEM Scale-Up Program provides educators and students throughout the state access to exemplary STEM educational opportunities. These programs offer a diverse range of STEM activities to over 100,000 students each year, boosting mathematics, science and reading scores on statewide tests, encouraging resolve to pursue STEM careers upon completing studies and fostering the confidence needed to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
Fourteen programs were selected from a pool of 84 proposals from across the country for this menu based on the STEM Council’s strategic priorities, including agricultural science, computational thinking, early learning, ecology and energy education, mathematics, STEM and arts integration, STEM careers, integration into existing curriculum and transdisciplinary learning. These priorities were selected to provide Iowa students with educational opportunities that emphasize the necessary skills needed for the future workforce. Students who participate in the STEM Scale-Up Program have historically performed better on statewide tests compared to students who do not participate. These students also have an increased interest in STEM subjects and careers.
A team of trained reviewers considered evidence of effect, scalability, diversity impact, cost-benefit ratio, sustainability, Iowa’s academic standards alignment and more when selecting final programs. The following 14 programs were selected to be offered to preK-12 educators across Iowa for the 2024-2025 academic year:
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Program
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Grade
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Content Area(s)
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All About Balance (an Iowa program)
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PK-2
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Early Childhood Physics
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Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Educators (an Iowa program)
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K-12
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
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Blackbird Code
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6-12
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Coding Embedded in Mathematics and Science
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Derivita Math Program
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6-12
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Mathematics Applications to Careers
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Exploring and Connecting to Iowa’s Agriculture – teacher professional development
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2-8
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Agriculture Connections in School
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FUSE Studio - Innovate
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4-12
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Maker Space Blended Environment (virtual and actual)
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Investigating Everyday Phenomena
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K-5
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Elementary Science Hands-On Discovery
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Making Innovative STEM Connections
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PK-8
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Problem Solving Skills via Making
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Positive Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, Biology, Environmental Science & Engineering
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6-12
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Science Class Enhancement Tool
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Robo Wunderkind STEM Program
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K-5
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Elementary Coding and Robotics
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Spatial Vis: The First Step in Design for Engineering and Technology
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6-12
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Spatial Visualization for Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Mathematics
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Storytime STEM-Packs
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PK-2
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Literacy + STEM
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Teachley Math
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K-5
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Mathematics Foundations
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Turing Tumble
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3-12
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Fundamentals of Computing
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To apply, educators will need an account established with the IowaGrants.gov system.
- First time users will need to set up an account at any time. Instructions can be found here.
- For additional instructions on starting and finding a funding opportunity check out instructions here.
 Students participate in a Virtual Family Coding Night hosted by Central Lee Community School District
Each December, schools around the world participate in Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek). For the second year, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has partnered with the Iowa Department of Education, statewide AEAs, and industry partners to curate resources and events for students, educators and families throughout the state in relation to this year’s theme “Creativity with AI.” The goals of the week were to build excitement for computer science and help students learn about computer science careers.
“Early exposure to a wide array of Computer Science topics helps students explore paths to various careers related to technology. Their passions can be sparked with CSEdWeek Community Sessions where families can discover interests in the IT field while engaging in hands-on experiences with current IT faculty and students,” is what Dr. Michelle Ruse, District Chair of Computer Science at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) had to say about the importance of the events held.
DMACC was one of several locations to hold an in-person version of the Virtual Family Coding Night where students and their families were able to explore three coding activities dealing with artificial intelligence. The activities, AI Card Game, Exploring with Teachable Machine, and Algorithm Art offered plugged and unplugged ways to learn about artificial intelligence and machine learning. “Our kids had high energy the entire hour and all ages K-8 were able to enjoy the experiences provided. Many came away with a new spark of interest for AI,” said Sara Newton, a Central Lee parent who coordinated an in-person host site for the family coding event.
In addition to the family coding night, two webinars were offered to secondary students exploring careers and pathways to careers in AI. SwineTech, Vermeer, Mid-American Energy, and Google representatives spoke about how careers are changing thanks to the ever changing technology of artificial intelligence. “AI is becoming the next smartphone,” said Daniel Madison of Mid-American Energy. Not only were specific careers discussed but also the way this technology is shaping everyday tasks for businesses. Drake University and Iowa State University representatives spoke about the pathways to careers in AI that their institutions have created and are still creating.
Christopher Porter from Drake University told students that he sees many of the students majoring in artificial intelligence double or triple majoring in other areas which shows how widespread the need to learn computer science truly is. Nicole Lewis echoed this sentiment as well, stating that she sees a number of different bachelor degree backgrounds in students entering Iowa State University’s graduate program for artificial intelligence. “Be open minded that you can be a computer scientist,” was the advice current graduate student at Iowa State University, Samuel Fanijo gave students.
CSEdWeek is one of the many initiatives in Iowa that has helped lead them to be named one of the top ten states in the nation for computer science education. If you missed any of the events, recordings along with all the resources from both this year and last year’s CSEdWeek can be found on Iowa’s CSEdWeek webpage. Just because the week is over doesn’t mean the excitement for computer science has! If you would like to be a part of CSEdWeek next year or have questions, please reach out to Mauree Haage, North Central Regional STEM Manager at mhaage@iastate.edu.
 STEM Educators: Apply today to be a 2024 Summer STEM Teacher Extern.
Introduction: In the heart of Iowa, a groundbreaking initiative is shaping the future of STEM education. The STEM Teacher Externships Program provides Iowa educators in STEM fields with immersive summer experiences, fostering collaboration between teachers and industry professionals. This unique program not only equips teachers with valuable skills but also paves the way for exciting and innovative careers for students.
Unlocking Opportunities for Educators: STEM Teacher Externships open doors for Iowa teachers, offering a 6-week journey into the world of work. Immersed in a host business or organization, educators gain hands-on experience, acquiring skills and knowledge to enrich their teaching methods. The program recognizes their dedication by providing up to $5000 in compensation and the opportunity to earn 3 graduate credit hours, ensuring a holistic approach to professional development.
Grant Support Amplifying Impact: The STEM Teacher Externships Program continues to thrive with the support from grants, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing STEM education in Iowa. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has generously funded up to 30 externships over 3 years in the Energy Sector, propelling the program's reach into critical fields. The Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP) further champions the cause, funding 16 externships again this year that align with conservation professionals. This financial backing not only broadens the program's scope but also empowers the STEM Council to facilitate more Teacher Externships, creating a ripple effect of educational transformation.
Voices of Impact: Jeff Gorrie, CEM, Director of Energy Services, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities:
"The Iowa STEM Externship program has helped a number of municipal utilities in Iowa and has the potential to make even more impact. This program helps us in accomplishing those difficult to complete projects and reach towards our stretch goals. Many hands make for lighter work, and this program gives us a highly skilled and professional pair of hands to achieve our goals. This program strengthens the bonds between educators and the workforce and prepares students for exciting and innovative careers. I am proud to support the Iowa STEM Externship."
Heather Gamm, First-time Extern Host with Bremer County Conservation:
"The [STEM Externship] Program sounds like a great way to work with a local science teacher and get their valuable insight into our current programming. Our Environmental Education staff would enjoy learning about teaching techniques in working with students, social media outreach, and we also hope to have our Extern align our programming with science standards in order to better serve teachers and students in our districts."
Join the Journey: Teachers and hosts alike are invited to be part of this transformative experience. Both can apply for STEM Teacher Externships at IowaSTEM.org/Externships, contributing to the growth of STEM education and the preparation of students for a future defined by innovation and discovery. Together, educators and industry professionals are shaping a brighter tomorrow for Iowa's STEM landscape.
 Iowa school administrators lament a shortage of teaching applicants in high-need areas including science, mathematics and technology. Industry leaders lament the lack of access to K-12 teaching pathways for retirees or career changers. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is helping to address these concerns with scholarships to STEM professionals intending to become classroom teachers through the Regents Alternative Pathway to Intern Licensure (RAPIL) Program.
The RAPIL Program is designed to help experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree transition their talent and expertise to Iowa's secondary classrooms. This collaborative program of The University of Iowa, The University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University provides an accelerated, alternative pathway to obtain an initial Iowa teaching license that includes coursework designed with the working professional in mind, pedagogy development, field experiences and a year-long internship with an Iowa school district which completes their first year of teaching with school-based mentorship.
The Iowa STEM RAPIL Scholarship is only one of two scholarships available to candidates in the RAPIL Program. Since first offering the Scholarship in Spring of 2022, Iowa STEM has helped 51 RAPIL Program candidates pursue their dream of teaching.
Some of these individuals and their school administrators had this to say about the RAPIL Program:
RAPIL Scholarship recipient and consumer mathematics/computer science teacher Walaa Alshafei shared, “The RAPIL Program incorporates modern teaching tools and technology to prepare educators for the classroom. The most important thing is the flexibility in the program.”
RAPIL Scholarship recipient and high school science teacher Kari Buck said, “I worked part time as a medical laboratory technician and decided to pick up hours subbing as a paraeducator once all three of my kids got into school. I found so much joy working with the students, and the school atmosphere was very welcoming. The [STEM Council RAPIL] scholarship allowed me to work even more part time as a lab tech and spend more time in the classroom. I was able to visit different school districts and sub in different classrooms, subjects and grades. It was a great opportunity to make connections with teachers, gather advice and collect ideas that I could implement in my own classroom.”
Interim Superintendent Scott Blum stated, “In my seven years as principal at Dallas Center-Grimes High School, I hired several teachers that participated in the RAPIL program. Overall, I was extremely impressed with each and every one of them and found them to be incredible additions to our students and our school. Their unique experiences were extremely valuable to our teaching team. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the talented teachers coming out of the RAPIL program.”
Please help spread the word about the RAPIL Program and the Iowa STEM RAPIL Scholarship to potential candidates. More information about the RAPIL Program can be found at: https://iowateacherintern.org/
Send any questions or comments about the RAPIL Program to info@IowaSTEM.org .
Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Iowa Department of Education
214 East Bartlett Hall
University of Northern Iowa
515.335.1531
Info@IowaSTEM.org
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