 Registration opens:
Registration is now open for the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit. The event will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Iowa Events Center, Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, in Des Moines. Thanks to a generous investment by Microsoft, admission is free but required in advance.
The deadline for registration is Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4:59 p.m. Anyone interested in registering for the event will need to sign up or have an existing SCHED account.
The event is open to the public and brings together hundreds of educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and STEM advocates from across Iowa to explore innovative strategies, share best practices, and hear from leaders who are advancing STEM education. This year’s theme, “Where Bold Ideas Take Flight,” will be showcased through a full day of engaging keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities that offer hands-on classroom strategies, share examples of successful partnerships and career-connected learning opportunities, and highlight aerospace exploration —giving attendees plenty of ideas to take back to their communities!
Students welcome:
While the primary audience is educators and business partners, students are welcome and encouraged to attend. The content and format of the Iowa STEM Summit is most age appropriate for middle school students or older.
New this year, a student poster walk will highlight the innovative research, projects and ideas of Iowa high school students. Proposals are open through Oct. 1 for students interested in presenting a poster. The student poster walk is an initiative of the Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador Group.
In addition, students with select STEM BEST® Program models will be onsite creating fun giveaways at the Summit Swag Station. STEM BEST® Program models will also design and produce the centerpieces in the Grand Ballroom.
 Nominations for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award close at 4:59 p.m. today. Don’t miss your chance to honor an exceptional STEM educator!
The Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Google, recognizes leadership and dedication that increases student interest in, and awareness of, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The award is given to one licensed, full-time, PK-12 teacher from each of Iowa’s six STEM regions. Recipients receive $1,500 for their classroom and $1,500 for personal use.
The deadline to submit nominations is September 30, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. CDT. Recipients will be announced in early 2027.
The nomination process is simple and open to everyone. Visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/TeacherAward for details on eligibility and submit your nomination.
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Iowa STEM is pleased to welcome Jordan Menning as the Iowa STEM Northwest Regional Manager.
In his role, he will engage with educators, students, business and community partners across Northwest Iowa to help expand access to high-quality STEM opportunities that inspire students and prepare Iowa’s future workforce.
Jordan brings more than 17 years of experience in education, relationship development and partnership building. Most recently, he served as Activities Director for Central Lyon Community School District and Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Central Lyon CSD, Boyden-Hull CSD, and Sibley-Ocheyedan CSD. He has also served as a trainer and content developer focused on career-connected learning and leadership development.
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Jordan spent 12 years as an educational consultant with Northwest Area Education Agency, where he worked with more than 50 school districts, providing instructional coaching and science consulting while helping develop system structures and processes. Before working at the Northwest Area Education Agency, he taught fifth and sixth grade at Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School District. While teaching, he earned his master’s degree in the Science of Education and later earned a specialist degree in educational leadership.
Jordan brings a passion for supporting educators through impactful learning opportunities that enhance students’ learning experiences. His commitment to student achievement, innovative learning and building strong partnerships among schools, communities and industry will help advance STEM education across Iowa.
Please join us in welcoming Jordan to the Iowa STEM team!
 Applications for STEM BEST® Program awards are open for new and returning schools through Nov. 3. The STEM BEST® Program awards up to $50,000 with a 2:1 required match to K-12 public and private schools in Iowa to build long-lasting schools + business partnerships through authentic learning experiences. Teachers and industry professionals work side-by-side to craft curriculum and projects that help students develop high-demand skills and expose them to pathways of opportunity, homing in on interests and potential career opportunities.
To learn more visit the STEM BEST® Program webpage or email program coordinator Tanya Hunt at tanya.hunt@iowa.gov.
 Lieutenant Governor and Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Chris Cournoyer announced Howard as the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year during a ceremony in Lone Tree this month.
This month, the Iowa Department of Education announced 10-year Lone Tree business and computer science teacher Jessica Howard as the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year.
Howard was previously honored with the 2023 Iowa STEM Teacher Award representing the Southeast Iowa STEM region. She is a five-time participant in the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program, partnering with local business and industry hosts John Deere Davenport Works, Stanley Consultants and Muscatine Power and Water, to advance career-connected learning in her community.
Prior to becoming a teacher through the Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL) program, supported by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, Howard worked in the private sector at Lee Enterprises and U.S. Cellular, bringing more than a decade of business experience into the classroom.
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“My approach to teaching, especially when it comes to business and career and technical education, is to make it real-life focused,” 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year Howard said. “If I am teaching something, it has to have real-life implications that prepare students for the world they are going to live and work in. I see my students as capable, compassionate, dedicated members of our community, and in turn, they start to see it in themselves and produce the solutions that are needed.” |
Read more about Howard in the Department’s press release. Congratulations, Jessica!
 STEMsights 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.
Guest Authors: Claire Lu, Lauren Rouse, Elle Wernimont, Avika Rastogi, Arya Ravikumar, Ava Courtney, RJ Smith, Max Vannorsdel
This year, the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is piloting a student poster walk at the annual Iowa STEM Summit. Students will have the opportunity to present either a STEM-based project or innovative research on Friday Nov. 6 as part of the event. This initiative is led by the Iowa STEM Youth Ambassadors group.
“The Iowa STEM Youth Ambassadors business and partnerships committee came up with this idea so that students could have an opportunity to showcase their talents and leadership skills,” said Max Vannorsdel, a member of the business and partnerships committee.
This will also provide high school students the chance to network with professionals in the STEM field.
“This is something our committee has been working on very diligently,” said Erin Chen, a member of the business partnerships committee and group co-chair. ”We are so excited to provide this opportunity for the youth of Iowa!”
Members who have presented through similar opportunities at science fairs or research conferences see the value this will add to the Iowa STEM Summit.
“Presenting research to professionals or like-minded peers is always a highlight of my learning experience,” said Claire Lu, an Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador. “I truly encourage everyone interested to give it a shot!”
Council leadership and the group’s advisors are pleased with the initiative and ownership the group has taken to make this event a reality.
“It has been very rewarding seeing all of the members working together to create such an amazing environment for high school students to grow.” said Casey Wenstrand, Iowa STEM Youth Ambassador group advisor. “I truly hope that opportunities like this poster walk help to inspire more high schoolers to pursue STEM!”
Twenty posters will be selected to be featured during the Iowa STEM Summit on November 6. Selected students will be given a specific time to talk about their poster with attendees. This opportunity is open to all high school students across the state of Iowa. If you have a poster to present, apply by October 1.
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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