 March 31, 2026
In this issue
Upcoming Events
April 9 - 5-7:30 p.m.
Northeast STEM Region hosts Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival
April 28 - 1-3 p.m.
Southwest STEM Region hosts SWITCH STEM Festival
 The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education invites proposals for presentations, panelists and roundtable discussions at the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit, taking place on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. This year’s theme is “Where Bold Ideas Take Flight.”
This event brings together hundreds of Iowans from education, business and industry, nonprofits, trade organizations, elected officials and students to amplify the conversation about solutions for connecting education and the workforce.
Proposals across all STEM disciplines and content areas are encouraged, especially when incorporating student voices.
If you have insights you would like to share, please submit your proposal!
We will be accepting submissions through July 29, 2026. Speakers will be notified of acceptance by early September.
Questions can be directed to Summit@iowastem.org.
While some of their peers may have spent spring break soaking up sunshine, several members of the Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador Group chose to deepen their understanding of STEM careers right here in Iowa by attending STEM Discovery Day. This in-person, hands-on experience was designed from the ground up by the Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador group Business Partnerships committee. This year’s event for group members is intended to serve as a pilot in hopes to expand similar opportunities to their peers across the state in the future.
The day started with a tour of John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny where the Youth Ambassadors were able to see real-world applications of innovative technologies.
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“I have a big background in agriculture and STEM, so getting to see all this technology is very cool,” said Luke Boyle, an Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador and senior at Western Dubuque High School.
After the tour, the group participated in hands-on activities like a welding simulation and a virtual reality simulation, giving them an understanding not only of how those tools are used in the workplace, but how they are developed.
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“I want to do industrial engineering and today really got me thinking about minoring in industrial technology,” said Avika Rastogi, an Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador and junior at Dallas Center-Grimes High School.
The second portion of the day was at Kemin Industries in Des Moines. Students toured the Molecular Advancement Center and Quality Control Lab and visited demonstration booths exhibiting the scientific processes and experiments done to make foods both safe and tasty.
Both companies organized career panels for the students to learn about the variety of career pathways and opportunities available. Attendees remarked on the wide array of ways that engineers and scientists at both Kemin and John Deere arrived at their current roles and the multiple steps along the way.
“Seeing all the new technology being developed today has been really cool and seeing how I can contribute to that,” said Vivian Zhang, Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador and sophomore at Ankeny Centennial High School.
The Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador group is composed of Iowa youth who meet monthly to take on projects and be a voice for peers. Applications are being accepted for the 2026-27 school year through April 16.
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"My biggest takeaway from my extern experience was the connections that were made. I realized that there are so many resources available to enhance my teaching practices. These connections have built my confidence and this year, in the fifth grade classroom, we have integrated science into our reading unit. The results have been incredible! The students are so engaged and there are so few behaviors. My thanks is owed to the Dickinson County Nature Center staff for encouraging me and providing me with the learning experience. "
-Pennie Klepper
2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Extern with Dickinson County Conservation
Science and Mathematics teacher with North Union CSD
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“My experience as an Iowa STEM Teacher Extern helped me talk to students about technology careers in a much more concrete and realistic way. Instead of only discussing general ideas about computer science jobs, I can now share real examples of how professionals work, the types of problems they solve, and the tools they use every day. I would highly recommend that computer science teachers apply for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship. It provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals and see how computer science is applied in real workplaces. My experience with ACT helped me bring real-world examples into my classroom and better prepare my students for careers in technology.”
-Walaa Alshafei
2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Extern with ACT
Computer science, consumer mathematics and cybersecurity with Iowa CSD
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“STEM Teacher Externships have been the most valuable professional development that I've ever done. Not only for the confidence and competence that I gained in my technical skills and abilities, but, more importantly, because I was able to build my professional connections and gain a better understanding of the industries in which I teach.”
- Tyler Wright
2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Extern with Deery Brothers of Waukee
Engineering and Technology Instructor with Waukee APEX
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Summer 2026 placements are ongoing for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program but there are still open opportunities for both workplace hosts and teachers. Let us know you are interested and we will work to make a good match. Applications are open until May 15.
The Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program is helping lessons click for students at Roosevelt Middle School in Dubuque.
"Electricity is always an engaging unit for students," said Roosevelt Middle School teacher Elizabeth Brute. "Even with hands-on activities students still struggled to understand how the movement of electrons is what causes the light bulb to light or your hair to stand up.
Roosevelt Middle School was a recipient of a 2025-26 STEM Scale-Up Program award that funded Spintronics materials and curriculum, along with educator training over the summer to support effective implementation. Brute shared that exposing students to Spintronics prior to lessons on electricity this year is making a big difference for student comprehension.
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"Our class discussions after Spintronics were much richer than in years past because students knew what was actually happening in the circuit," Brute said. "Our summative assessment results were also stronger than in years past, with Spintronics being the only major change to our instructional activities."
Spintronics exposes students to mechanical circuits through puzzles and using tangible components.
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"Even with hands-on activities, students never see the actual moving electrons, so they have a hard time conceptualizing what exactly is happening," Brute said. "Spintronics allowed students to see what was actually happening in the wires and what happens when you make small changes to the system.
Educators receiving STEM Scale-Up Program awards for the 2026-27 school year will be notified in late April.
Photo provided by Dubuque Community School District
 The Iowa Department of Education is partnering with Green Hills AEA to provide two elementary-focused computer science professional learning opportunities through a virtual Embedding Computer Science into Everyday Instruction workshop series.
In the Embedding Computer Science into Everyday Instruction hands-on, virtual workshop series, participants will:
- Explore simple, developmentally appropriate ways to embed computer science into their current instruction.
- See how computer science standards naturally connect to literacy, math and patterning through a physical computing device and picture book.
- Leave with concrete lesson ideas and classroom-ready strategies.
- Gain a clearer understanding of computer science standards and the confidence to integrate computer science into existing curriculum.
Registration is required and closes April 24. For more information on this computer science professional learning opportunity including dates, times and registration details, visit the Department’s computer science webpage or contact Michelle Meier at michelle.meier@iowa.gov.
 Explore the future of artificial intelligence in Iowa at the Iowa AI Convening on April 20 at the Science Center of Iowa. Connect with leaders across education, industry, and community sectors to better understand how AI is impacting classrooms, workplaces, and communities. Through keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and collaborative discussions, participants will gain insight into real-world applications and emerging trends. Registration is required but free for Iowa educators.
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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