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National STEM Day was earlier this month, celebrated on November 8.
“National STEM Day provides a time for all to celebrate STEM and help inspire all students to learn and explore STEM fields and careers," said Justin Lewis, bureau chief for the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education. “The STEM Council is proud to play an integral part in building strong foundations through STEM education for Iowa’s students and promoting the wide variety of STEM opportunities right here in Iowa through our signature programs.”
With an annual legislative appropriation of $6.3 million these past five years, the STEM Council offers exemplary educational STEM programs like the STEM BESTⓇ Program, the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program and the STEM Scale-Up Program to students and educators across the state. Demand usually exceeds the funding available which is where investments from committed business/industry partners and grant funding greatly help. |
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The STEM BESTⓇ Program offers funding to schools to develop school-business partnerships that provide real-world opportunities for students to explore and develop high-demand skills needed to become successful leaders and innovators of a future-focused Iowa. Since 2020, STEM BESTⓇ has expanded into 75 new schools with a total of 615 community partners through 142 STEM BESTⓇ awards statewide.
The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program builds bridges between Iowa’s workplaces and STEM educators across the state by affording teachers the opportunity to extern during the summer with local businesses, organizations and other workplaces alongside knowledgeable and skilled employees. Since 2020 the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program has offered 360 externship experiences to Iowa educators with over 120 workplace partners in advanced manufacturing, information technology, conservation, biosciences and more.
The STEM Scale-Up Program aims to expand student learning in STEM and connect it with key industries and major career fields in Iowa like agriculture, advanced manufacturing, information technology, finance, insurance, medical and more. Scale-Up provides high-quality STEM education programs to PK-12 youth in and out of school along with training for educators to implement these programs effectively, reaching around 100,000 students each year on average.
To find out more on the Department’s STEM efforts, visit the Iowa STEM webpage or engage through social media on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
 CSEdWeek is Dec. 9 to 13, 2024. Computational thinking skills inspire problem solving, innovation and creativity -– skills essential for our future workforce.
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) takes place this year December 9-13. CSEdWeek serves as an annual call to action, providing youth resources to learn more about computer science, explore its potential and encourage participation in computer science education.
This year’s Iowa CSEdWeek theme of "CS is Everywhere in Iowa: Be Cybersecure" highlights the importance of cybersecurity in our technology-driven world. Cyber security is a fast-changing area of computer science and CSEdWeek organizers hope to encourage students to pursue careers in the field and to better prepare them to live in a technologically-advanced world.
“Computer Science Education Week is not just about celebrating computing for one week,” Mauree Haage, Iowa STEM’s North Central Regional Manager said. “We really want to take this moment in the spotlight to highlight resources that can be utilized by educators and students throughout the year, as well as bring attention to the computer science careers right here in Iowa.”
Educators are encouraged to set aside some time during CSEdWeek to try new things with their students with the goal of exciting and engaging them in the world of computer science and expose them to careers like cybersecurity, software development, artificial intelligence and more.
Throughout the week, schools, libraries, and other organizations in Iowa and beyond will host various programs to engage students in computer science. In addition to online resources, official events during Iowa CSEdWeek 2024 include:
- Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m. - Nutcracker Ballet + STEM event: Coordinating challenge activities and the performance help to highlight the connection between STEM and the arts.
Event organizers hope the excitement and engagement of CSEdWeek go well beyond the week’s events. Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to use the week as a springboard for coursework, events and programs.
“Don’t let Iowa CSEdWeek be just a week. Celebrate it every week! Use this week as not only a chance to spark interest among students but also to explore resources and tools for educators and parents to use to build on this momentum year-round,” Haage said.
Visit IowaCSEdWeek.org to access resources, webinars and activities or follow #CS4IA on social media to see CSEdWeek events happening throughout Iowa. Resources provided through IowaCSEdWeek.org are designed to be flexible and customizable for a variety of settings, including classrooms, libraries, businesses and even at home, allowing participants to tailor their experience.
Iowa STEM’s team of six regional managers are always looking for ways to bring STEM to all learners across Iowa. The Iowa STEM team is proud to participate and host several STEM events throughout the year, including two recent events in our Northeast and North Central regions.
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Northeast STEM Region
Approximately 850 people in and around the Waverly area dived into the thrilling world of STEM, where they encountered the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the Cedar Valley Family STEM festival. This vibrant celebration was not just about fun; it's about igniting a passion for learning and discovery in our youth.
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Families were treated to a fantastic array of 51 engaging hands-on activities that not only ignited curiosity but also highlighted the vital importance of STEM education and career pathways.
A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers and exhibitors whose efforts turned this evening into an unforgettable experience, reminding us all that education can be both fun and transformative!
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North Central STEM Region
On November 7, Fort Dodge hosted an exciting STEAMfest event, drawing approximately 231 attendees who had the chance to explore over 30 engaging exhibits. Each exhibit offered hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and connect young minds to real-world careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The event celebrated the innovative spirit of Fort Dodge and surrounding areas, providing opportunities for participants to learn directly from professionals in a range of STEAM fields.
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A debt of gratitude goes out to everyone who helped make this event a success – from the dedicated organizers to the exhibitors who showcased their expertise. Their hard work and enthusiasm helped make STEAMfest a memorable experience for all involved. The goal to build upon this tradition of inspiring future STEM leaders continues!
STEM-sights, the newest section of our monthly newsletter, is written by members of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council’s Youth Advisory Board. This is their space to share insight and ideas on STEM events and initiatives important to Iowa students, written by Iowa students. Check out what’s on their minds this month:
Why You Should Apply for Scholarships
College is expensive, but scholarships can help!
Pursuing higher education is an incredible investment in your future, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. Scholarships offer a vital opportunity to offset the costs of tuition, books, and living expenses. By dedicating some time to apply, you can reduce the financial burden and focus on your studies.
Time Frame: Plan Ahead for Scholarship Applications
Scholarships have varying deadlines, making it essential to plan ahead. While the peak application season is typically in February, there are opportunities available year-round, including right now. Setting aside time to research and complete applications now can give you a head start before the rush begins.
Types of Scholarships: Merit vs. Need-Based
Understanding the types of scholarships available can help you target the ones best suited for you:
Go Local for a Better Shot
While national scholarships often come with larger payouts, they also attract more applicants, making them highly competitive. Local scholarships, offered by community organizations or businesses, generally have smaller applicant pools, increasing your chances of success. Don't forget that many schools also provide their own scholarships, which may be tailored to their students’ needs. We also suggest to talk to your teachers and counselors about scholarship opportunities they are aware of.
Where to Look for Scholarships
Finding scholarships may feel overwhelming, but many resources are available to help you start your search:
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Scholarship Databases: Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and niche platforms for your field of interest.
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High School Guidance Counselors: They can guide you to local opportunities and national programs.
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Colleges and Universities: Most schools offer scholarships to incoming and current students.
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Community Organizations: Local organizations (Rotary clubs, Key Club, Knights of Columbus, Masonic Lodges, etc.), local businesses, and nonprofits often provide financial support to students in their area.
All of the resources listed below are websites that all students have access to with both niche and largely applied to scholarships.
Taking the time to apply for scholarships is an investment in your future. With resources at your fingertips and opportunities all year long, there’s no better time to start than now.
Written by Ella Meyer and Amy Tran, Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council’s Youth Advisory Board
 We are accepting applications for host sites and teacher externs right now! Visit the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships webpage for more information and to let us know you are interested.
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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