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In this issue
Upcoming Events
Early March
Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program placements begin for summer 2026
March 10 - 4:59 p.m.
STEM Scale-Up Program educator applications close
March 26 - 5-7 p.m.
Southwest STEM Region hosts Earlham Family STEM Night
This month, we announced six outstanding teachers as 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients. The Iowa STEM Teacher Award recognizes one full-time, licensed PK-12 teacher from each of the state’s six STEM regions. Awardees were selected for their outstanding contributions to STEM education and for demonstrating innovative teaching practices, commitment to student success and efforts to integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into the classroom in meaningful ways.
“The 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients exemplify the kind of educators who inspire curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning in students,” said Iowa STEM Bureau Chief Justin Lewis. “We are honored to acknowledge their outstanding contributions to STEM education and their efforts to shape the future of Iowa’s STEM workforce.”
Each recipient will receive $1,500 to use for the classroom and $1,500 for personal use and was honored at STEM Day at the Capitol.
The 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients are:
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Northwest STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Alan Bandstra, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Sioux Center Christian School is in his 37th year of teaching. Bandstra was nominated by a parent of one of his students, who noted his hands-on approach to teaching STEM has made it an outstanding year for his daughter and her classmates. Growing up on a family farm where learning, work and play often merged, he brings that background and mentality into his STEM program design. |
North Central STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Anna Brooks, an agriculture teacher at Ames Community School District, is in her eighth year of teaching. Nominated for the award by two colleagues, one shared that she exemplifies excellence in STEM education by blending innovation, collaboration and student-centered learning. She tailors instruction to meet student needs while maintaining rigorous standards, with urban agriculture at the heart of her curriculum. |
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Northeast STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Dylan Shaffer, a science and intro to STEM teacher at Monticello Community School District, is in his eighth year of teaching. Shaffer’s extraordinary passion for STEM and ability to build strong relationships with his students ignites inspiration and enthusiasm in the classroom. He provides students with experiences in science and technology that are memorable, challenging and unique. |
Southwest STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Justin Heckman, physics teacher and robotics coach at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, is in his 25th year of teaching. Heckman is described as an exceptional STEM educator who models lifelong learning through curiosity, grit and authentic passion, and his creativity and energy makes STEM come alive. His approach to inspiring students in STEM is to make physics accessible at all levels and create an engaging classroom environment. |
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South Central STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Jared Almandinger, medical and bioscience research instructor, STEM Camp Director and STEM Club Advisor, at Waukee Community School District, is in his fifth year of teaching. When it comes to teaching, his goal is ensuring students recognize STEM’s universal relevance and understand STEM’s presence across all fields. From going above and beyond to provide support and advice to creating an engaging and collaborative environment, he makes research feel exciting. |
Southeast STEM Region 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Recipient: Pamela Joslyn, a STEM educator at Muscatine Community School District, is in her 33rd year of teaching. She collaborates with STEM stakeholders to enrich student learning by providing out-of-classroom experiences that transform student engagement, build confidence and develop cultural awareness. Beyond creating dynamic learning environments in the classroom, she is dedicated to advancing the field of STEM serving as a DoD STEM Ambassador representing the Office of Naval Research. |
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 STEM Day at the Capitol brings together participants in Iowa STEM programs, state leaders and STEM advocates to share information and success stories directly from those who are implementing the programs and from the students who are being impacted by the programs!
The annual STEM Day at the Capitol celebration was held on Feb. 18. Students and educators representing 11 Scale-Up Program awards, 5 STEM BEST Program models and three Iowa STEM Teacher Externships packed the rotunda to share success stories and demonstrate the impact of STEM Council support on their schools and classrooms.
Thank you to everyone who helped make STEM Day at the Capitol a success! It was a great day sharing stories of STEM education with our legislators. It was inspiring to see the creativity, curiosity and hard work of students and educators in Iowa!!
Thank you Google!
We want to extend a special thank you to Google for sponsoring STEM Day at the Capitol and the Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program!
“Iowa is leading the new era of American innovation through AI infrastructure, and Google is proud to call the state home,” said Dan Harbeke, Regional Head of Public Policy and External Affairs at Google. “The importance of STEM education has never been greater, and we are thrilled to honor these extraordinary teachers who work on the frontlines inspiring and teaching the next generation of innovators to fill the jobs of tomorrow. By working together, we can provide access to STEM learning that will equip students with critical skills that lead to economic opportunity and highly skilled jobs right here at home.”
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One Iowa school district is finding engaging ways to help kids answer the age-old question “What do you want to do when you grow up?” The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) recently hosted a Pathways to Purpose event for all eighth graders within ICCSD in an effort to help them have a clearer understanding of future pathways as they prepare to register for high school courses.
The event was funded in part by an Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council STEM BESTⓇ Program Enhancement award.
“Investing in funding opportunities for schools empowers educators to implement innovative resources and create hands-on learning experiences that allow students to explore, discover their strengths and confidently chart the pathway that best shapes their future," said Tanya Hunt, STEM BEST® Program coordinator. "Utilizing their Enhancement award to bring in the Big Ideas Mobile Labs further elevated an already impactful program, deepening the experience for students and expanding opportunities for hands-on learning.”
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The Big Ideas Mobile Labs are semi truck trailers converted into a hands-on learning experience. They offer skilled trades experiences in welding, painting, carpentry and more, through industry-level simulators and personalized instruction from skilled professionals.
Interaction with community partners helped further broaden student’s local career knowledge and connect potential high school course offerings to real-world careers. High school students assisted with the event and were on hand to help middle schoolers engage with classroom materials and answer questions.
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Eighth grade students enjoyed interacting with their older peers through the experience and came away with a better understanding of what high school might look like and how their course choices could impact their futures.
“This trip really helped me better understand everything that City High has to offer, and I enjoyed the way that you could ask fellow City High students about their experiences in that class,” said ICCSD middle school student Charlotte.
Students rotated through the exploration experiences in small groups. Event organizers also built time into the day to allow students to reflect and make connections with their personal career aspirations.
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 Iowa STEM Teacher Externs will begin being placed with workplace hosts for summer 2026 experiences through the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program in March. This program places STEM teachers in the workplace alongside industry and business professionals, connecting curriculum to real careers and allowing educators to return with fresh insights that spark student interest in STEM.
It’s not too late for hosts or teachers to apply! Let us know you are interested and Ann Gritzner will work to find a match in your area.
 STEM Scale-Up Program educator applications close on March 10. Eligible educators are invited to apply for the opportunity to participate in the program(s) of their choosing. Awardees are encouraged to participate for a full three-year award cycle to reap the full benefits of sustained immersion.
The program’s new three-year model features a menu of three offerings that will be offered to PK-12 educators across Iowa for the 2026-27 academic year. These include:
- STEMwonder, presented by the Iowa Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa
- Exploring AI and the Future of Work, presented by CodeJoy LLC
- FIRST Tech Challenge, presented by the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa
 STEM-sights is written by members of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council’s Youth Ambassador Group. This is their space to share insight and ideas on STEM events and initiatives important to Iowa students, written by Iowa students.
Written by Youth Ambassadors Claire Lu, Avika Rastogi, Avery Bradley, Eva George, Rachel Besaw, and Ishika Desai
Each year, six different teachers across the state are selected. The award recognizes teachers who have made a significant contribution to students’ STEM learning by providing excellent STEM learning and nurturing student passion beyond the classroom. The award looks for teachers who use unique ways to educate students, help students understand the breadth of the STEM field, prepare students for higher education and share an outstanding passion for STEM.
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According to Eva, she chose to nominate Jared Almandinger because of the welcoming environment he provided both in and outside of the classroom. The advice and support he offers “makes research feel exciting rather than intimidating,” which inspired her as she had the chance to research the relationship between cancer cells and cytokines. Through his guidance, she always felt encouraged to seek the truth, no matter the setbacks she and her group faced. However, her decision to nominate him extended beyond the classroom as well. As the Vice President of the Waukee STEM Club, she recalls Jared's continuous involvement in the club as they go through activities and prepare for the Science Olympiad, which has helped create a “more engaging environment for students.” His unwavering dedication to STEM programs is ultimately what has inspired both her love for STEM and her decision to nominate him. |
Students have a unique perspective on the impact their teachers make every day. By nominating a teacher for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award, students can share their stories and help recognize educators who go above and beyond to inspire learning. Taking a few minutes to nominate a teacher is a meaningful way to say thank you and ensure their dedication is celebrated statewide. Students can nominate their teachers in October 2026.
Written by Youth Ambassadors Claire Lu, Avika Rastogi, and Eva George
Families, educators, STEM organizations, school districts, and students gathered in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 18 for STEM Day at the Capitol, an annual event hosted by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The six 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Awards were presented, community members were invited to connect with STEM educators, and organizations and the impact of STEM was exhibited. As volunteers, our Iowa Youth STEM Ambassadors found the experience particularly memorable. |
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One of the exhibitors, Kreft Primary School (Council Bluffs), featured their STEM Scale-Up Program. This was a personal favorite for Youth Ambassador Eva George. Using 3D printing pens, elementary students were able to make a variety of creations, including a bird’s nest. Starting with basic lines and patterns, students exercise their creativity and the foundations of the engineering process to create complex creations. This early exposure to STEM helps dismantle the gender bias often found in science spaces.
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“Meeting with State Representative Eddie Andrews was particularly memorable for me,” noted Claire Lu, a Junior at Ames High School and Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador group member. “He toured us around the capitol, shared his experiences and gave us valuable advice.” |
Engaging with legislators as students was both intimidating and empowering. At first, the students were hesitant to speak up, worried that their lack of experience would make their voices seem less important. However, once the conversations began, students became more confident through conversation. Through these interactions, the students realized that their voices truly matter. They experience the effects of policies in their schools and communities every day, and sharing those firsthand perspectives helps make policy more personal. When legislators listened to their ideas and concerns, it showed that change does not only come from adults in power; it can also begin with students who are willing to speak up. This experience also led to personal growth.
The students learned how to advocate for themselves, communicate clearly, and trust their perspectives. Being proactive in engaging with policymakers is important because lasting change takes time. Even a single conversation can plant a seed for future action.
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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