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Educators from all across Iowa convened in Earlham this month for the fifth annual BEST STEMposium. The event serves as an opportunity for one host school to showcase how they approach STEM education, for educators from across the state to gather, collaborate and network with like-minded teachers doing similar work and to identify opportunities with new partners or resources.
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The BEST STEMposium 2026 kicked off on Sunday evening at the Blank Park Zoo, where attendees were treated to behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo’s conservation efforts including work to help coral in Florida and to track a struggling turtle species in Iowa.
The event shifted to Earlham Community Schools on Monday where Superintendent Steve Kaster welcomed over 100 attending educators and administrators actively involved in one of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council’s STEM BESTⓇ Program models.
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“Our staff has taken the initiative to embed all of what’s STEM into what we do here at the school,” Kaster said in his welcoming remarks. “The families and students of Earlham have embraced the STEM mindset. This allows the district to continue supporting our mission statement of empowering innovative, adaptive and resourceful learners.”
The remainder of the day featured Learning Lab breakout sessions with interactive components, discussion and field trips.
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The final day of the event was held at the Science Center of Iowa (SCI). Attending educators joined sessions exploring innovative materials and approaches to teaching with hands-on activities and deep conversation centered on AI in education.
Educators speak highly of the positive impact of connections made at the STEMposium and the built-in support system of being part of the STEM BESTⓇ Program network.
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“I always have a bunch of takeaways which is why I come every year,” said Becky Herman, a STEM teacher formerly at Iowa BIG and now transitioning to Belle Plaine Community Schools. “I feel like I have lots of resources and new colleagues. I’m always meeting people at this who I can reach out to. The sessions yesterday were timed for exactly what I need right now. I got a ton of different ideas for our work-based learning that we’re going to be focusing on.”
Attendees also see the importance of opportunities like the BEST STEMposium beyond their personal gains but for the good of continued growth for STEM education in Iowa.
“With the way that the State has been so supportive, I think if we want to continue to have those resources, we need to pour our time and energy into it too,” said Ryan Friederich, a teacher with Forest City Community Schools’ STEM BESTⓇ Program model. “If we want to keep having these opportunities, whether it’s STEM BEST or STEM Scale-Up, then the more people who are involved, the more opportunities there will be.”
The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program is breaking records again this summer! 95 Iowa teachers are spending part of their summer as externs with 78 unique workplace hosts, both record highs for the program since it began in 2009. 21 are new workplace hosts and 44 are returning externs.
Thank you to our workplace host partners for making this program the success that it is!
AI4IA: AI for Biotechnology in Iowa earned the STEM Council’s Seal of Approval this month.
AI4IA: AI for Biotechnology is a new STEM outreach initiative designed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D printing into high school education through the Iowa State University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Chowdhury Lab. Students use interactive, research-inspired learning modules to explore how proteins interact with metals using computer-based simulations and translate those digital structures into 3D-printed models. These activities help explain real-world topics such as viral diseases and industrial biotechnology applications like enzyme-based detergents.
The mission of this program is to democratize access to cutting-edge scientific tools and make molecular biology tangible, intuitive and engaging for high school learners. Modern tools allow researchers, and increasingly students, to predict and view protein 3D structures with near-experimental accuracy, transforming biology and dramatically accelerating research and education. The program leverages this same technology in an educational setting, bridging the gap between frontier research and classroom learning.
The program is designed to align with emerging priorities in STEM education, including AI literacy, workforce development and interdisciplinary learning. It is structured to be low-cost and scalable by combining freely available AI tools with accessible 3D printing resources, enabling adoption across diverse school systems.
The program consists of modular sessions that include: (1) guided AI-based protein visualization, (2) interpretation of molecular function such as metal binding and (3) hands-on interaction with 3D-printed models.
The Council’s Seal of Approval recognizes non-Council programs and events that help achieve Iowa STEM goals. Have a program or event that significantly advances STEM principles and thinking? Apply for the Seal of Approval today!
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education launched STEM BEST® 250, a statewide initiative designed to inspire student-led service projects through Iowa’s network of STEM BEST® Program models.
Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer announced the initiative earlier this month at the BEST STEMposium, an annual gathering of STEM BEST® Program model leaders.
The STEM BEST® 250 campaign aims to engage its more than 150 STEM BEST® Program models, spanning over 200 districts across Iowa in community service projects. It encourages students to identify meaningful needs within their classrooms, schools and communities and to develop projects that create real, lasting impact. By completing or initiating service-oriented projects, students will apply STEM learning in authentic ways while building leadership, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
The project aims to develop and empower student servant leaders while increasing visibility of Iowa’s STEM BEST® Program and representing the state’s participation in the America 250 campaign.
For more information on the STEM BESTⓇ Program and the STEM BEST 250 initiative, contact program coordinator Tanya Hunt at tanya.hunt@iowa.gov.
 This is your last chance to submit a proposal for this fall’s Iowa STEM Summit.
Proposals across all STEM disciplines and content areas are encouraged, especially when incorporating student voices or relating to this year’s theme, “Where Bold Ideas Take Flight.”
We are looking for educators and students to share the authentic lessons and projects happening in their Iowa classrooms. Proposals do not need to be fully polished. A concept or outline is a great starting point, and we can work with you to fine tune or pair you with other similar presentations.
 We are thrilled to welcome the 2026-27 Iowa STEM Youth Ambassadors!
The STEM Youth Ambassadors group has become a sought after opportunity for Iowa youth with over 80 applications received this spring. This year’s group will consist of nine returning members and 12 new members representing 18 school districts and 21 unique school buildings across all six STEM regions.
Erin Chen, Claire Lu and Avika Rastogi, all high school seniors and returning members, will lead the group as co-chairs. Four collegiate mentors – Brayden Hunt, Alex Madonna, Harshita Mankotia and Lara Secl – will help maintain the group's youth-led focus under the guidance of volunteer and Iowa STEM staff advisors.
Watch for more from our Youth Ambassadors this year through their articles in the STEMsights section of our newsletter and at Iowa STEM events.
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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