Maria Sneath is a teacher in the Muscatine Community School District and worked at Muscatine Power and Water as part of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department of Education has received extended funding for this year’s Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the program includes energy sector externship opportunities at no cost to host organizations. The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program offers a mutually beneficial experience that bridges education and industry.
Applications Now Open for 2025
Both potential energy sector workplace hosts and STEM teachers can now apply for this year’s Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program. This initiative provides teachers firsthand experience in the energy industry, helping them integrate real-world knowledge into their classrooms while offering businesses innovative problem-solving perspectives during the summer.
How the Program Works
The Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program provides significant benefits to educators and, by extension, their students as well as to the broader community. Through a 5-6 week (200 -240 hour) summer placement, teachers partner with local businesses. During this time, they assist host organizations with projects, engage in real-world problem-solving and gain invaluable insights into energy and other STEM careers.
“Providing educators with the tools that allow their students to experience the energy industry will enrich classrooms — and it will help Iowa groom a highly skilled talent pipeline that fuels the future of innovation in STEM fields, particularly in the energy sector,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which houses the Iowa Energy Office. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, and they are critical to Iowa’s economic growth and success.”
When teachers return to their classrooms in the fall, they share these experiences with students in STEM subjects, offering rich, contextual learning opportunities. By incorporating workplace skills and industry knowledge into their teaching, educators can enrich curriculum and inspire students to explore careers in the energy sector.
“In fifth grade, we have a unit focused on water—how we use it, source it and dispose of it,” said Maria Sneath, Muscatine Community School District teacher and 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Extern with Muscatine Power and Water. “Through my time with MPW, students now have a deeper understanding of how water plays a vital role in producing electricity, specifically in a coal-fired power plant. They’ve also learned about Muscatine’s natural aquifer, how water is sourced from our wells and the process that takes it from the source to their taps.”
Get Involved
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Teachers: If you’re a STEM educator looking for a paid summer professional development experience to expand your understanding of energy careers, apply today. Even if there isn’t an energy sector workplace host in your area, you can still apply and we will work to find one near you or you may suggest a potential host.
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Energy Businesses: If you’re an energy sector organization interested in hosting a teacher for summer 2025, complete the workplace host interest form or contact Program Coordinator Ann Gritzner at Gritzner@IowaSTEM.org to learn more.
Join us in connecting classrooms and careers while shaping the future workforce of the energy sector.
 From left to right: Hudson Downing, Ree Heikens, Danielle Clouse-Gast, Brody Titterington, and Beckett Rahe
Student authored article:
Written by guest authors Hudson Downing, Ree Heikens, Brody Titterington, and Beckett Rahe with Okoboji’s No Boundaries STEM BEST® model
Our art exhibit, “Whispers of the Wilderness,” recently launched at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa, as part of a No Boundaries program. This student-centered initiative from the No Boundaries Program at Okoboji Middle School is a STEM BEST® model in Iowa. These models foster a connection between the community and the curriculum, enabling students to engage in real-world projects away from school. STEM BEST® is a signature program of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
At the start of the school year, our partner, Danielle Clouse-Gast, proposed a project where we would work with the Pearson Lakes Arts Center to explore software solutions for cataloging their art collection while curating our art exhibit. Initially, we aimed to identify software to help Danielle keep track of each piece’s information, as the center previously relied on memory for details like titles and histories. After determining a solution, we shifted focus to curating the art show. Over the following month, we carefully selected each piece, dismantled and packed previous exhibits, created videos expressing our thoughts on the artworks and crafted speeches to present during the opening night. Discovering the lesser-seen areas of the Pearson Lakes Art Center is truly an extraordinary experience.
"Seeing the process of making this place magical was more magical than anything else,” said No Boundaries student Hudson Downing.
One of our favorite aspects of creating this art show was exploring the vault where we were amazed by the number of artworks Pearson Lakes has stored! The vault features sliding walls for art storage and maintains a specific temperature to preserve the pieces. Walking in the bright white lights emphasizes all the detail in the art. If you're in the Lakes Area, don't miss the opportunity to see the art show in person—it will be on display until early March.
Collaborating with the Pearson Lakes Art Center has been a pleasure to bring this experience to life. We will be forever grateful to our incredible partner, Danielle Clouse-Gast, for this fantastic opportunity to work alongside her and her team to present this art show to the community.
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Use this QR Code to see our favorite pieces and why we picked them.
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 Applications for educators interested in implementing a STEM Scale-Up Program next school year are open now! We’re taking time to address your frequently asked questions about the application process below. Applications must be turned in through IowaGrants by 5 p.m. on March 3.
Do I need to apply for an IowaGrants account?
Yes! To access IowaGrants you must first establish an account. Please follow the instructions linked here to establish your account. The approval process may take up to 2-3 business days before your account is activated. We encourage you to start the process early so we can help with this or any other issues that may arise. Don’t wait to sign up!
Are there specific guidelines for titling my application?
Yes! Following the given format helps us efficiently award Scale-Ups. First include your STEM Region abbreviation (e.g. NE, NC, NW, SE, SC, or SW) followed by the name of the program you are applying for and lastly the organization's name. Separate each with a comma.
For example: If you're in the Northeast Iowa STEM Region, work at “ABC Daycare” and are applying for "Robotics for All" your title would look like this:NE, Robotics for All, ABC Daycare
Can multiple educators be listed in an application?
Yes. For example, if three fourth grade teachers from the same building are interested in applying for the same program, all of the educators should be listed within one application.
To do this, navigate to the bottom of Part 1 of your application to the section titled “Educators Implementing/Attending Required Professional Development." Then click the green “Add Row” button and enter the educator information. Add a new row for each additional educator.
We have three educators applying for the same program but one of the educators only requires professional development and not additional materials. How should this be noted in the application?
A new feature has been added to the 2025-26 Scale-Up application. To clearly indicate one educator who only needs professional development and not materials, navigate to the bottom of Part 1 of your application to the section titled “Educators Implementing/Attending Required Professional Development." When adding a new educator or editing one you have already input into the table, check the box for “PD Only (NO materials).”
Can I apply even if we have not hired the educator who would teach the program?
Yes! You may include a 'placeholder' educator in the “Educators Implementing/Attending Required Professional Development" section on your application. However, before implementing the program, the placeholder must be replaced with the name of an actual educator.
May I apply for multiple school buildings in one application?
For districts interested in applying for multiple buildings, each building will need to have its own application. Within the application portal, applications can be copied to make the process of applying for multiple buildings across a district easier.
I work with children in an after school program. Can I apply?
Yes! Educators from out-of-school programs benefit greatly from these programs. The Fact Sheets identify which programs are best suited for an out-of-school setting.
What do the programs provide?
Each program provides professional development and materials to implement the program. Some programs also provide participant support for the professional development component, such as an educator stipend, lodging and/or meals. More information about what is provided for each program can be found by viewing the Fact Sheets.
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Check out these other FAQs or reach out to your STEM Region’s Manager.
STEM-sights 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:
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a global organization with a strong presence in Iowa, dedicated to empowering women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. With multiple professional and collegiate chapters throughout the state, including those in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Ames, SWE serves as a vital resource for students, professionals, and educators looking to foster inclusivity and innovation in STEM.
What Does SWE Do?
SWE’s mission is to provide support, education, and advocacy for aspiring and current women engineers. They organize a variety of activities, including networking events, professional development workshops, and outreach programs for students of all ages. SWE members work to inspire the next generation of female engineers through mentorship programs, STEM camps, and classroom visits.
Why Join SWE?
Joining SWE provides a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about STEM. It’s a chance to network, gain leadership experience, and develop technical skills through workshops and projects. SWE members often find inspiration and encouragement to overcome barriers in male-dominated industries.
Conferences and Meetings
SWE chapters in Iowa host regular meetings and events that bring members together to exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and grow professionally. The annual SWE regional and national conferences are particularly noteworthy, offering opportunities for professional development, keynote talks from industry leaders, and access to career fairs with top engineering employers. Most recently, the national SWE conference was hosted in Chicago during October of 2024, with over 19,000 attendees. The 2023 conference was held in Los Angeles, with over 11,000 attendees.
Who Can Join SWE?
SWE membership is open to all who support its mission. Professionals working in STEM fields, college students pursuing engineering degrees, and even high school students interested in STEM careers are encouraged to join.
Starting a SWE Group at Your School
Schools interested in starting a SWE group can reach out to existing Iowa SWE chapters for guidance. The SWE website offers resources to help schools establish a collegiate or K-12 affiliate chapter. Partnering with local SWE professionals can help schools develop unique programming and mentorship opportunities.
Existing SWE Chapters and Resources
Iowa has a network of SWE chapters, including collegiate chapters at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. A full list of existing SWE groups and their contact information can be found on the SWE national website, which also provides valuable resources for aspiring and current engineers.
Scholarships and Opportunities
SWE offers numerous scholarships to support women pursuing engineering degrees, including opportunities specific to the Dubuque area. These scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers and encourage women to achieve their craziest STEM dreams. Check with your local SWE chapter for application details and deadlines.
A Call to Action
Whether you're a student, an educator, or a professional, SWE in Iowa provides a platform to innovate, inspire, and empower. By joining or supporting SWE, you can be part of a transformative movement advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM. Learn more about membership, scholarships, and starting your own SWE chapter at swe.org.
Together, let’s shape the future of STEM in Iowa!
Written by Ella Meyer and Amy Tran, Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council’s Youth Advisory Board
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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