 STEM Teacher Extern Dawn Colsh poses with first-time host Director Susan Snow of Effigy Mounds National Monument during their summer 2024 experience.
The STEM Teacher Externships Program offers a unique opportunity for Iowa businesses to host STEM educators for six weeks during the summer, benefiting from their expertise and fresh perspectives. These externships provide value to both the organizations and the teachers with most workplace hosts monetizing the projects completed by externs between $2,500 and $10,000.
Key benefits of hosting a STEM Teacher Extern include:
- Hosts build a partnership that will enhance the workplace and future community workforce.
- Educated and skilled STEM teachers as contributors to the workplace’s needs.
- Publicity through the program’s promotion, officially recognizing the workplace host’s commitment to STEM education and local economic development.
- Teachers return to the classroom with real-world experience, preparing future generations for careers in STEM.
Participants emphasize the importance of the externs’ contributions. According to Joy Bolar, Senior Research Manager at Corteva Agriscience, “Mostly it is about advocacy. Teachers can go back with the knowledge they have gained to train our next generation of problem solvers. Making them understand that they have a world-class facility in their neighborhood for future careers opportunities. This is priceless.”
Similarly, Samantha Dahlby, Director of K-12 Education at NewBoCo, notes, “Outside perspectives are always appreciated, and some of these projects would not have happened or happened in as timely of a manner if we did not have an extern.”
Lori Eberhard, Park Manager at George Wyth State Park, adds, “We are so thankful for having an extern at George Wyth. They have been able to take on some of the small projects that actually become big projects and get them completed. This is such a great program, and it is helping us get information into the schools with a direct connection which has been hard to do.”
For more information or to complete a workplace host interest form for the 2025 STEM Teacher Externships Program, visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/Externships.
 Earlham Community Schools used their STEM BEST funding to kickstart a systemic K-12 STEM program that continues to evolve with their students' needs.
The STEM BEST Program provides funding for schools to shape how STEM education looks within their classrooms, focusing on the idea of sustainable, authentic learning and collaboration.
This story starts in the kindergarten classroom of Earlham Community Schools. The concepts utilized are transforming what education looks like and are different from a traditional classroom.
“We were fortunate enough to receive two STEM BEST awards. Our first award was used to kickstart our planning to design a systemic K-12 STEM program. We were able to furnish and stock a K-12 Makerspace using award money and STEM Scale-Up Program awards,” stated Kristin Sheffied, Earlham Secondary Principal. “Since then, our model has evolved to offer K-5 STEM specials classes for all students and 6-12 STEM elective classes that utilize the space and supplies. These classes focus on the design thinking process and are very hands-on, cross-curricular and project-based.”
With over 120 STEM BEST Programs around the state there are just a handful of elementary models, yet the benefits in kindergarten have become very apparent. “STEM is important in kindergarten because it encourages our kids to explore and observe! It teaches them so many life skills like teamwork, perseverance, problem solving, curiosity, creativity, how to fail gracefully and how to revise their thinking. Students have truly embraced that mistakes help our brains grow and know that it’s ok if something doesn’t work the first time,” observed Mackenzie Gentry, Earlham Kindergarten Teacher.
With students thriving in this setting, one wonders if educators might feel that this expectation of doing something differently is just another thing on their platter of responsibilities. It seems to be just the opposite. According to kindergarten teacher Angie Ridgely, “As educators, we are thriving! We have been able to design our dream classrooms (indoors and outdoors) and create a thematic curriculum that exposes students to STEM while still teaching all of our core standards. Our enthusiasm for teaching has grown even more, and we are continuing to seek out learning opportunities to enhance what we have in place in our curriculum and classroom.”
The STEM BEST Program funding opportunities are meant to afford schools to build programming that meets the needs of their students and community, truly building upon local collaborations. With grant awards up to $40,000 and a 17-month window for planning and implementation, these awards are shaping the opportunities of tomorrow.
“Our STEM BEST Program awards have already brought incredible opportunities to our students; and as we look to the future, our hopes and goals are to build off what we have started. We aim to continue expanding our STEM programming, integrating even more cross-curricular connections and fostering a culture of innovation across all grade levels,” said Jason Hammen, Earlham Elementary Principal. “We also hope to further engage our community and parents, creating stronger partnerships that support student learning both in and out of the classroom.”
Applications for the next round of STEM BEST awardees open Oct. 7. For more information on the STEM BEST Program, visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/BEST
 In anticipation of STEM BEST applications opening Oct. 7, we are answering some of your frequently asked questions about the application process.
Where do you find the application?
Applications can be found online at IowaGrants.gov or at our web site. All proposals must be submitted through the IowaGrants platform in order to be eligible for review.
Do I need to apply for an IowaGrants account?
Yes! To access IowaGrants you must first establish an account.
*NOTE: An approval process exists and may take up to 2-3 business days for approval before your account is activated. Please follow the instructions linked here to establish your account. Don’t wait to sign up!
What can I do if I forgot my password and can not access my account in Iowa Grants?
Click on the “Single Sign in Tool” on the IowaGrants web site. Type in your email address and click next. Within the next pop up window there will be a link that you may select that says “forgot password.” Follow the instructions to reset your password.
Can I copy and paste content from another document?
Yes! This is encouraged! Our program applications can be found year round on our website. You may start your application within a collaborative document and then copy and paste into the application within IowaGrants.gov.
Can I allow others to have access to my application?
Yes! Within the first pop up window after beginning your application you will be asked to title it and also have the option to add additional contacts. This is when you can identify those people you would like to have access to your application. They must have an active IowaGrants account prior to you doing this. This information can always be added later under the general information component.
I cannot submit my application, what is wrong?
The most common error to prohibit submissions is not fully completing all required forms. Each application has a few forms that must be filled out in order to submit. A dashboard called the “application detail” will show the list of required forms. A green check mark will appear when the required forms are 100% complete and ready to submit.
Can I start an application and come back to it?
Yes, however, you must hit the save button. Even in working within sections of the application, it is best practice to save your work and go back into edit mode.
I started my application already and now cannot find it upon returning?
To find your application, select “Applications” from the side menu after logging into IowaGrants.gov. You should see a list of your applications.
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Email us: info@IowaSTEM.org
The deadline to submit a nomination for the prestigious 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars program has been extended to Oct. 6.
Educators, family members and community partners are invited to nominate students with outstanding achievements in academics or career and technical education (CTE). The Iowa Department of Education will review all nominations and select up to 25 students to submit for the national recognition program. Along with their accomplishments in academics and CTE programs, a student’s history of leadership, community involvement and perseverance through challenges will also be considered.
Nomination forms and additional information can be found on the Department’s Presidential Scholars webpage. Specific questions on the nominating process for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars program can be directed to Amanda Loder at amanda.loder@iowa.gov.
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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