 Metro High School Teacher Kali Muhlbauer stands by the moon tree and Principal Mark Groteluschen accepts a plaque from Metro Teacher Shannon Ellis at the school's 50th anniversary celebration.
On May 30 METRO High School in Cedar Rapids celebrated its 50th Anniversary. To commemorate the day, a one-of-a-kind tree planting was a part of the celebration as METRO High School is the recipient of one of NASA's Artemis Moon Trees.
After careful review of hundreds of applications, NASA has selected organizations from across the country to receive ‘Moon Tree’ seedlings that flew around the Moon on the agency’s Artemis I mission in 2022 to plant in their communities. Metro High School was 1 of 50 recipients thanks in large part to Science teacher Kali Muhlbauer.
After planting the Moon Tree with Metro High School students and staff, Mrs. Muhlbauer addressed the community stating, “We hope this tree will fuel STEM education here at Metro, in Iowa and beyond."
Since returning to Earth, the tree seeds have been germinating under the care of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Forest Service as NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement’s Next Generation STEM project and the agency’s Office of Strategic Infrastructure’s Logistics Management
Division worked to identify their new homes.
Community members, former staff and alumni were in attendance to celebrate the years of service that Metro High School has provided. The event was a celebration recognizing the efforts of so many who have played an important part in serving the students of Metro High School. Metro teacher Mr. Shannon Ellis ended the ceremony recognizing the next gathering to celebrate 100 years will be under the Sycamore Moon Tree. Congratulations to the students and staff at Metro High School!
 MFL MarMac senior and MORE student Elias Hatt talks with members of the public about his project to improve the district baseball field with the support of former players and community businesses.
The MORE program at MFL MarMac High School encourages students to build their skills in the Universal Constructs while completing authentic projects with partners in and out of the school district. MFL MarMac is located in Monona in Northeast Iowa and the program's name stands for More Opportunities, Real Experiences. They were the recipients of a STEM BEST Program Award in 2021 from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
The most recent slate of projects were featured at the annual MORE Showcase earlier this month. This year's projects included the research, design and presentation of a new dog park for the city, new signage at the school's baseball field in honor of a former coach and a 5S/6S work project at a local manufacturing business that includes team building to promote an efficient and safe working environment. Phase two of the school's courtyard renovation was also highlighted while students who work in the school's student-run enterprise, The Bulldog Brew, served flavored lemonades and cold brews to Showcase visitors.
The event was attended by numerous community and business people who were able to add their names to the list of potential project partners in the future. MORE's coordinator, teacher Melissa Haberichter, also serves as the school's work-based learning coordinator. "It is really nice to be able to offer a variety of real-world experiences to our students. Not only do we encourage tons of career exploration activities, we are always looking for partners to accept internships or those who would like to have a student work with them on an authentic project," said Haberichter. "We want students to leave MFL MarMac with a story to tell of how they took the lead on a project or created something of value for others."
Congratulations to Melissa Haberichter and the MFL MarMac students on their hard work and on adding value to their community.
Iowa STEM continues to build school workplace connections through events such as the Iowa Utilities Association DEV 24 Conference in Cedar Rapids.
Iowa STEM Bureau Chief, Justin Lewis, and STEM Teacher Externships Program Coordinator, Ann Gritzner, exhibited at the Iowa Utility Association’s Development (DEV) 24 Conference in Cedar Rapids on May 15, 2024. The DEV conference is promoted as Iowa’s premier economic development conference, bringing together new ideas, opportunities and trends from a variety of perspectives to grow Iowa. This year the conference focused on workforce readiness, education innovations and community development with remarks from Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend, and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham. Over 300 attendees and 20 exhibitors addressed economic, workforce and infrastructure topics unique to Iowa.
Iowa STEM met and showcased STEM programming, including the STEM BEST and STEM Teacher Externships Programs, with attendees from multiple utility companies, as well as other related business and industry leaders from across Iowa. Attendees welcomed conversations on growing school and business partnerships through STEM BEST Program models on working with educators and districts to craft projects and curriculum that prepare students for developing high-demand skill sets within STEM pathways. Attending organizations also connected over STEM Teacher Externships as potential hosts for educators during the summer to gain knowledge, skills and exposure to local industry in an effort to prepare students for careers they may have in the future.
 Ericson Public Library’s Dr. Zachary Stier, Children’s Librarian, and Dr. Sara Nelson, Director of the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium and Iowa NASA EPSCoR, display what the “To the Moon and Back” kit has to offer.
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (Iowa STEM) at the Iowa Department of Education is pleased to welcome three new Seal of Approval program partners! Below is additional information about these programs.
To the Moon and Back is a program offered through the Ericson Public Library in Boone developed in partnership with the Iowa Space Grant Consortium when the Ericson Public Library was completing the NASA @ My Library program, funded by the American Library Association back in 2018. The “To the Moon and Back” curriculum was designed to follow Next Generation Science Standards and developed to support public libraries across the state of Iowa to offer STEM programming in their communities.
Libraries across Iowa can find information about this program through the State Library of Iowa's listserv. The kits are also in the State Library's catalog, which makes them available through the State of Iowa interlibrary loan system, i.e. SILO, a free service where the kits arrive to the library through a service called MOBUS. A peek inside what is included in the kit can be found HERE.
Camp Redstone is a program offered through the Cherokee Public Library in partnership with the Sanford Museum and Planetarium designed for youth ages 8-12 to learn about geology as a way to engage and play while learning about the tangible world through the lens of Minecraft.
Cybersecurity Ambassador Program. Through the Cybersecurity Ambassador Program students and communities unite to master and disseminate crucial cybersecurity knowledge. Through engaging workshops, community outreach and hands-on experiences, these ambassadors become
the vanguards of the digital world, combating threats and securing peace of mind for internet users
everywhere. This is an opportunity that blends technology, leadership and community service. The links that follow provide additional information about the program.
Iowa Cyber Hub: Information for the public about the program
Cybersecurity Ambassador Program Video: Video for the public about the program
Cyber House Rock: Educational and entertaining videos the Cybersecurity Ambassadors use when educating the public, also a public resource for anyone.
The Iowa STEM Seal of Approval was established in 2015 in order to recognize and support select, non-Council programs and events that help achieve STEM Council goals. Others with programs or periodic events they might like to receive STEM Seal of Approval recognition can apply at: https://iowastem.org/seal
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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