Code.org’s Chief Academic Officer Pat Yongpradit and Director of Policy Hannah Weissman present information on the future of computer science education in the age of artificial intelligence.
The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (Iowa STEM) at the Iowa Department of Education produced the Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit on April 10 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Nearly 400 leaders from business and industry, education, nonprofits, trade organizations, professional societies, governmental agencies, elected officials, students and others registered with the focus on career-connected, experiential and community-applied learning through school, workplace and community partnerships.
Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Co-Chair and Foundation Analytical Laboratory, Inc., Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young kicked off the Summit underlining that those in attendance were presented with an extraordinary opportunity to glean insights from exceptional speakers, engage in meaningful networking and reignite our collective passion for advancing STEM education to prepare the future workforce in local communities in our great state.
Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow’s opening remarks acknowledged this Summit as a celebration of steps forward to continue to advance our shared mission to increase student interest and achievement in STEM, to connect learners to high-quality, work-based learning experiences and to foster innovation and support economic development.
Iowa STEM Bureau Chief Justin Lewis added that the day marked a significant milestone — a gathering of STEM advocates and partners from every corner of Iowa, each providing to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation fostered by the STEM Council’s and Iowa Department of Education’s mission and vision.
Plenary session speaker Quentin Suffren, an ExcelinEd Senior Advisor, noted that high-quality pathways that begin in K-12 and span postsecondary to the workplace create direct connections between learner experiences and the world of work.
Attendees experienced a unique opportunity for a hybrid presentation from Code.org where Pat Yongpradit, the Chief Academic Officer, joined the Summit virtually while Hannah Weissman, Director of Policy, was in person to co-present. There is a nation-wide movement to try to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn computer science. CAO Yongpradit drew attendees into a conversation around the future of computer science education in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
Rebecca Lucas, Kemin Industries Human Nutrition and Health Global Director of Research and Development, shared her perspectives on the importance of curiosity education in our world today.
Breakout sessions on engaging topics from building mathematics relevance to teachers in the workplace to scaling work-based learning through school+business partnerships to elevating career and technical education with industry recognized credentials and more provided valuable exploration and networking time.
A pinnacle segment of the Summit was the recognition of the six 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients. Kemin Industries has sponsored this prestigious award for the past ten years.
Governor Kim Reynolds wrapped up the day with heartwarming remarks about how proud she is of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council which has done so much to make Iowa a national model for the type of engaging, hands-on education which truly prepares our students for a successful future. She thanked the many professionals across education, government and the private sector for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the Summit.
The excitement and energy for further advancement in future preparedness was made possible by generous support by the Summit event sponsors (see below) and STEM education advocates throughout the year!
For the program, recordings, presentations and other archived materials from the April 10, 2024, Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit, visit https://iowastem.org/archive
The six Iowa STEM Teacher Awardees were honored at the April 10, 2024, Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit. Pictured left to right: Iowa STEM Bureau Chief Justin Lewis, Iowa STEM Co-Chair Diane Young, Northeast Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Theressa Northouse, South Central Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Randi Glaser, North Central Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Kelsey Enslin, Kemin Industries Vice President and General Counsel Libby Nelson, Southeast Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Katie Rygh, Northwest Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Stephanie Prussing, Southwest Iowa STEM Teacher Awardee Trulla Pullen, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow.
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (Iowa STEM) at the Iowa Department of Education is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. This award honors educators who go above and beyond to bring engaging opportunities into the classroom and inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. There is an abundance of quality STEM jobs in Iowa, and there will only be more to come. It is crucial that these jobs are filled for Iowa’s future and qualified Iowa STEM graduates are the key. Inspiring STEM educators, such as this year’s award recipients, are helping to make this a reality.
The Iowa STEM Teacher Award would not be possible without the support from Kemin Industries. They have been a stalwart partner and advocate for STEM education in Iowa over these many years. Now in its 10th year, the Award is presented annually to one full-time, licensed preK-12 teacher from each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. These honorees are recognized for their dedication to fostering enthusiasm and igniting a passion for STEM that extends beyond the walls of the classroom.
As a recipient of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, each educator will receive $1,500 to use for their classroom and $1,500 for personal use. The recipients were recognized at smaller celebrations at their schools and were honored in a recognition ceremony during the Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit on April 10, 2024, at the Iowa Events Center Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center.
Congratulations to the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients sponsored by Kemin Industries!
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Kelsey Enslin, instructional technology teacher at CAL Elementary School in Latimer (North Central STEM Region), is an exemplary example of how to collaborate and integrate STEM-related activities, coding and computer science into areas such as literacy, mathematics and social studies.
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Randi Glaser, science teacher at Walnut Creek Campus in West Des Moines (South Central STEM Region), is a shining example of how to develop and implement engaging, hands-on and relevant STEM curriculum.
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Theressa Northouse, technology coach at Marshall Elementary School in Dubuque (Northeast STEM Region), brings tremendous energy to the classroom to keep students engaged while bringing real life opportunities into the classroom leaving students wanting more STEM.
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Stephanie Prussing, educational technology teacher at Denison Elementary School in Denison (Northwest STEM Region), is a true champion for STEM education, working tirelessly to promote computer science and technology instruction through various classes and extracurricular activities.
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Trulla Pullen, STEM education teacher at Clarinda Community Schools in Clarinda (Southwest STEM Region), demonstrates innovative and creative teaching methods to make STEM subjects engaging and accessible to all her students—which has resulted in significant positive impacts.
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Katie Rygh, mathematics teacher at South East Junior High School in Iowa City (Southeast STEM Region), is committed to providing students with high-quality mathematics instruction, as well as real-world experiences to engage her students in mathematics.
Find videos about previous STEM Teacher Award recipients HERE.
The excitement is evident by Pella area students who signed up for apprenticeships through the WorkSMART Connector and Career Academy of Pella
WorkSMART Connector and the Career Academy of Pella celebrated area high school students who signed up for work-based learning apprenticeship opportunities. Students from Pella, Pella Christian, Knoxville, PCM, Melcher-Dallas, Twin Cedars, North Mahaska and homeschools will now work to complete hours of work and learning to earn special certification while also getting paid.
Students signed onto apprenticeship opportunities in Construction Trades, Manufacturing Technologies, Patient Care, Welding, Early Childhood Education and IT. Students took part in the signing day and later shared more about why they chose to commit to this experience on the Podcast “Let’s Talk Pella.”
Teri Vos, WorkSMART Director of Work Based Learning, shared how rewarding for the community this event was by saying, “To have this number of students and employers participate we will all benefit.”
A recent family STEM Festival in Mason City engaged children of all ages in exciting hands-on experiments and activities.
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (Iowa STEM) at the Iowa Department of Education ramps up in the spring and summer with many opportunities for engagement by students, families, educators and communities.
Regional STEM Festivals. There are a number of Iowa STEM Festivals across the STEM Regions yet this year in which students, families, schools and community partners can participate. These events help grow STEM education interest and awareness in STEM careers in communities.
Northwest STEM Region. For more information, contact NW Regional STEM Manager Mary Trent at mtrent@iowalakes.edu
June 20, 2024, 9AM-3PM – Iowa Lakes Summer STEM Fest, Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville Campus. Free to Grades 4-10 Students. See how technology and careers collide while exploring computer science, track turtles, fly drones and more through STEM sessions and group games.
Southeast STEM Region. For more information, contact SE Regional STEM Manager Matt Stier at matthew-j-stier@uiowa.edu
July 18, 2024, 9AM-1PM – Collins Aerospace Campus, Cedar Rapids
Southwest STEM Region. For more information, contact SW Regional STEM Manager Casey Wenstrand at wenstrand@iowastem.org
May 1, 2024, 5:30-7:30PM - Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub (SWITCH Center), East Mills Elementary Gym
Each of the STEM Regions welcomes additional exhibitors and volunteers who would like to be a part of these annual STEM Festivals. To express interest in participating, contact the Regional STEM Manager in your region. Their contact information can be found at: https://iowastem.org/regions
Professional Development Opportunities for Educators
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Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program. During the summer and into the fall, professional development is provided to educators who have been awarded a STEM Scale-Up Program for implementation during the 2024-25 academic year. These workshops are offered by the STEM Scale-Up Program providers and vary in length and location. Awarded educators were notified in early April. For more information on the 2024-25 STEM Scale-Up Program offerings, please see: https://iowastem.org/scale-up/menu .
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Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program. For six weeks during the summer, licensed, secondary teachers of mathematics, science and/or technology engage in an impactful professional development experience where they take on a full-time position in local workplace and apply their content knowledge to projects at that workplace, as well as gain knowledge about that workplace’s operations and career opportunities for students. During this professional development experience, these STEM educators earn three (3) graduate credits, acquire a participant stipend of up to $5,000, network with colleagues in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and receive mentoring by STEM education professionals on transferring the experience back to the classroom for their students. For more information about this program, go to: https://iowastem.org/externships.
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Iowa STEM BEST Program. Soon after the 2023-24 academic year concludes, Iowa’s STEM BEST Program models across Iowa convene for the BEST STEMposium. This is a 1-1/2 day gathering to network, share best practices and witness the offerings of other STEM BEST Program models. This annual convening is in a different location each year in order to spotlight remarkable school+workplace partnerships providing scalable work-based learning opportunities in communities all across the state. The enrichment is vast, not only for the youth being afforded these opportunities, yet for the educators, schools, workplaces and communities in which they thrive. To learn more about these STEM BEST Program models, descriptions can be found at: https://iowastem.org/sites/default/files/2014-2024STEM.BEST.Descriptions.3.19.24.docx%20%282%29_0.pdf
Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Iowa Department of Education
214 East Bartlett Hall
University of Northern Iowa
515-335-1531
info@iowa.gov
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