 Jay Flores will deliver an engaging keynote address entitled “It’s Not Magic, It’s Science!” at the 2025 Iowa STEM Summit.
The 2025 Iowa STEM Summit is fast approaching! During this year’s event, global STEM ambassador Jay Flores will deliver an engaging keynote address entitled “It’s Not Magic, It’s Science!”
Flores is the founder of Invent The Change and author of the recently released Engineer Someday! bilingual children’s book. He’s taken his work promoting STEM to the screen as a two time semifinalist on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior and appearances on other shows.
In addition to Flores’ keynote address, the Iowa STEM Summit features a variety of breakout sessions including interactive workshops and panel discussions along with networking opportunities designed to inspire and empower attendees.
Recently, Jay shared what motivates him and gave a sneak peek into what attendees can expect of his keynote address at the Iowa STEM Summit on Oct. 17.
What inspired you to dedicate your career to making STEM exciting and accessible?
"What inspired me was the realization that it’s not a lack of potential holding young people back, it’s often a lack of connection. When students experience STEM in a way that’s exciting, hands-on and relatable to their everyday lives, it opens their eyes to possibilities they never imagined."
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Without giving too much away, what can attendees expect from your keynote address at the 2025 Iowa STEM Summit?
"Attendees can expect an interactive, high-energy experience that combines storytelling with unforgettable demonstrations. My goal is not only to inspire but also to equip educators, students and community leaders with new ways to think about STEM engagement. There will be some surprises along the way, but most importantly, people will walk away with ideas they can put into action right away."
Why should business and community leaders care about supporting STEM education?
"STEM education is not just about preparing students for careers. It is about preparing communities for the future. Businesses and community leaders who invest in STEM are investing in innovation, economic growth and a workforce ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges."
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCMENT: The first 200 registrants to check-in the morning of the Iowa STEM Summit will receive a FREE copy of Flores' new bilingual STEM children’s book Engineer Someday! Flores will be available to sign books in the networking room during afternoon breakout sessions.
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You’ll notice several exciting updates to this year’s Iowa STEM Summit! Here are a few highlights:
- The 2025 theme, Accelerating Innovation, will be showcased through several sessions focusing on AI that will allow the audience to hear from leaders advancing STEM education and artificial intelligence (AI) while exploring the role of artificial intelligence in education, the workforce and everyday life.
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- Not only will attendees be able to hear from student presenters in several presentations, student attendees will enjoy a student track of sessions, generated by the Iowa STEM Youth Ambassadors. These sessions aim to engage high-school-aged students and better prepare future STEM professionals.
 At Silver Lake Fen, students learned about the endangered plants that grow there and could respectfully explore the unique landscape.
Fifth grade students at North Union Community School District had the opportunity to step back in time along a “Glacial Landmark” tour of northwest Iowa, thanks to the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.
Bringing her summer Externship experience back to her own class, Klepper and 15 of her students recently joined extern host Dickinson County Nature Center for a day exploring various glacial features in rural Dickinson County, including a kettle hole, native prairie, fen, kame and an esker.
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“It’s good to bring in kids that don’t necessarily come to this part of Iowa,” Cox said. “They’re close, but maybe, they haven't ventured outside of their county. It's cool to bring them into these spaces so they can see these really unique features right at their doorstep.”
During her externship, Klepper worked alongside staff to plan fun and engaging summer camp activities, including a novel study for one of the nature camps that connected reading with nature exploration.
Klepper has taken a twist on the nature center’s camp to incorporate into classroom lessons this year.
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“We have been studying the biospheres, have covered the geosphere and touched on glaciers,” Klepper said. “We have been reading ‘My Side of the Mountain.’”
Klepper has demonstrated the intersection of mathematics and literacy as students review fractions using the story’s vocabulary and has even used AI to help develop test questions ahead of ISASP testing.
“I learned so much this summer and have been applying it since the first week of school,” Klepper said.
 The 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients are Dan Kuchera, Chuck Tonelli, Tara Gray, Maddie Kampf, Alex Spooner and Dustan Kern.
Nominations are being accepted for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award through Oct. 22.
The most recent class of awardees share how this recognition was impactful to them.
“I am so grateful for the recognition that the Iowa STEM Teacher Award brought to my school and the work that my colleagues and I have been doing to build our unique STEM education model. It provided a great opportunity to find my voice and countless opportunities to collaborate.” - Chuck Tonelli, 2025 Southeast Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient
“This experience helped me connect with many other like-minded educators while bringing this knowledge/information back into my personal classroom.” Tara Gray, 2025 North Central Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient
The award recognizes one full-time, licensed PK-12 teacher from each of the state’s six STEM regions whose passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) motivates their students to develop a lifelong interest in STEM fields—both in and out of the classroom.
The six recipients receive an award of $1,500 for their classrooms.
“The money I received from the award went directly toward expanding my classroom curriculum. I was able to purchase a couple more drones to add to our fleet and expand our drone offerings here at Okoboji.” - Alex Spooner, 2025 Northwest Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient
“I purchased equipment for my Ag Biology course. The equipment, like electrophoresis chambers, helped in my DNA unit for students to compare different DNA runs.” Tara Gray, 2025 North Central Region Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient
Alongside classroom funding, awardees receive an additional $1,500 for personal use, acknowledging the dedication teachers give daily and allowing them to treat themselves. This year, award recipients were able to enjoy a family getaway to Minneapolis, upgrade personal recreational equipment, contribute to savings and supplement increasing household expenses.
If you know a STEM teacher making an impact in your school, say “thank you” by nominating them for this award by Oct. 22!
 STEM BEST® Program award applications are open through November 10. The STEM BEST Program is making a bolder impact this year by offering your school up to $50,000 in funding to create work-based learning experiences.
 Iowa STEM is seeking prospective program providers to offer STEM Scale-Up programs for the next cycle! Prospective program providers are invited to submit a proposal by Oct. 22.
Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Iowa Department of Education
214 East Bartlett Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0298
515-335-1531
info@IowaSTEM.org
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