03 Nov 2015

Iowa STEM Council announces invitation for STEM programs to scale across Iowa

By Angel Mendez

2014-15 STEM Scale-Up programs reached more than 100,000 preK-12 youth in the state

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Today, the Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council released a nationwide invitation for STEM programs to compete for a unique partnership that allows them to 'scale' across Iowa during the 2016-17 academic year.

Each year, the STEM Council cost-shares with STEM program providers to deliver the programs to more than 2,000 educators both in and out of the classroom at little or no cost. Results from the 2014-15 Iowa STEM Evaluation report show that STEM Scale-Up programs have impacted more than 100,000 preK-12 youth from rural to urban settings and across gender, age, race and ethnicity. On average, students who participate in STEM Scale-Up programs score roughly 6 percentage points higher in mathematics and science on the Iowa Assessments.

"Iowa's STEM Scale-Up program was conceived by leaders on the STEM Council as a means for leveling the playing field across our state and bringing top-quality STEM to PreK-12 learners regardless of their zip code," said STEM Council Executive Director Dr. Jeff Weld. "Now entering year five of the initiative, outstanding program partners have equipped and inspired thousands of educators to ignite the dreams of a quarter million young Iowans in STEM."

The current STEM Scale-Up programs will be asked to reapply alongside other potential new partners who will compete for a spot on the 2016-17 menu of offerings that Iowa's educators can apply for in the spring. Selected programs will demonstrate through their proposals clear evidence of success in increasing student interest and achievement in STEM, as well as inspiring children of diverse backgrounds and abilities by driving connections with business and industry.

For the second year in a row, the STEM Council will partner with the national STEM organization, Change the Equation, that works to build a national registry of exemplary STEM programs, known as the STEMworks Database. The partnership enables applicants to submit simultaneously for STEMworks listing and Iowa's STEM Scale-Up menu. They will be evaluated through Change the Equation's rigorous Design Principles for effectiveness as well as additional state-specific criteria to assess their readiness to expand in Iowa.

"Change the Equation is honored to help the STEM Council identify the most effective STEM programs for its STEM Scale-Up initiative," said Change the Equation CEO Linda Rosen. "Corporate America has long been a leader in its focus on effective STEM programs that deliver a return on the investment. The collaboration between Change the Equation and the STEM Council embodies this critical principle."

The most competitive proposals, which may come from a variety of sources, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations or the private sector, will be those that are clearly evidence-based, well-planned, targeting areas of need in Iowa and readily scalable across the state. The proposal form is located at http://changetheequation.org/stemworks_application/how-it-works/ia.php and must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Monday, December 7, 2015.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain the state's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

About Change the Equation

Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and implement excellent STEM policies and programs. CTEq's coalition of members are working toward universal STEM literacy by advocating for state policies and practices that are known to produce STEM-literate high school graduates; ensuring high standards for all students; and supporting evidence-based high quality STEM learning programs.

30 Oct 2015

STEM Council awards new STEM BEST and RLE models in Iowa

By Angel Mendez

Twelve awardees commit to innovate through business-education partnerships

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council has awarded 12 new STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) and STEM RLE (Redesigned Learning Environment) models across Iowa.

Both STEM BEST and STEM RLE models transform typical K-12 classroom environments and methods to unite business and education and develop clear pathways from STEM education to STEM careers in the state. Since 2014, the STEM Council has established four STEM RLE and five STEM BEST models that currently serve as examples of these business-education partnerships.

"The STEM BEST model allows students to experience a local industry or business environment firsthand that exposes them to STEM career opportunities right in their backyards," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, co-chair of the STEM Council. "The STEM RLE model engages students in a more collaborative, technological environment that prepares them for STEM success in college or career training after high school."

The STEM Council's executive committee voted unanimously to award and support 12 of 22 proposed partnerships that bring to the table a total cost-share commitment of $630,628. The $300,000 STEM Council investment made possible through a combination of state and private sector funds is divided equally among these 12 awardees to purchase equipment and provide teacher training:

  • Charles City Community School District – North Central STEM Region – STEM BEST
  • Lincoln Intermediate School – North Central STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Dubuque Community School District – Northeast STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • North Tama County Community School District – Northeast STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Carroll High School – Northwest STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Western Christian High School – Northwest STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Albia Community School District – South Central STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Hoover High School – South Central STEM Region – STEM BEST
  • Davenport Community School District – Southeast STEM Region – STEM BEST
  • West Branch Community School District – Southeast STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Corning Elementary School – Southwest STEM Region – STEM RLE
  • Hamburg Community School District – Southwest STEM Region – STEM RLE

"Uniting business and education is a key priority of the STEM Council," said Dr. Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Kemin Industries and co-chair of the STEM Council. "These 12 new models will help bridge the education to workforce gap by addressing local industry strengths and challenges in each region of the state to ultimately shape the future of Iowa's economic development."

Each selected program submitted an in-depth proposal, considering factors like education driven by business and industry need, rigorous, relevant and dynamic STEM curriculum and authentic partnerships. The programs bring various strengths in community partnerships, district demographics and program focus and will serve as models or prototypes for business-education partnerships across the state.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/STEMBEST or www.IowaSTEM.gov/STEMRLE.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain the state's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

30 Sep 2015

STEM Council shows positive results in 2014-15 Iowa STEM evaluation report

By Angel Mendez

Students in STEM programs on average score higher in mathematics and science on Iowa Assessments and other metrics

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council recently announced results from its 2014-2015 independent evaluation that measures the success of the STEM Council's efforts with STEM education and economic development across the state.

Highlights of the 349-page Iowa STEM Evaluation Report include :

  • Students who participated in STEM Scale-Up programs scored an average of 6 percentage points higher in mathematics and science on the Iowa Assessments.
  • A total of 376 new business-education partnerships formed through Iowa STEM programs.
  • Eighty-one percent of educators who implemented STEM Scale-Up programs last year agree or strongly agree that they have more confidence in teaching STEM content.
  • From 2012 to 2014, public support of an increased focus on STEM education to improve Iowa's economy rose to 89 percent.

"It is very inspiring to see such positive results coming from all sectors of our STEM initiative," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, co-chair of the STEM Council. "While this report indicates that what we are doing is working, it also shows that we have progress to make, and I can tell you that we're dedicated to doing just that. We have great people involved in the STEM Council, and we will continue to make large strides in STEM education in Iowa."

In addition to these gains, evaluators also found more students are earning four-year college degrees in STEM-related fields, more students are taking Advanced Placement (AP) STEM courses, more high school teachers are getting their initial license in STEM areas and more ACT-tested graduates across all demographic subgroups, including males, females, African-Americans and Hispanics, are attracted to STEM fields. The evaluation team also unveiled the Iowa STEM Professional Network Analysis, which shows significant growth in connections across the K-12, higher education, business and non-profit from 2007 to 2015.

"The value of these statistics is immeasurable," said Dr. Chris Nelson, co-chair of the STEM Council and president and CEO of Kemin Industries. "As a leader in the business sector, it is all about results and determining what is working well and what needs improvement. This report provides the data we need to continue to make a difference in STEM education in our state."

This independent evaluation is conducted by an inter-university consortium of Iowa State University's Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE), University of Iowa's Iowa Testing Program and the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Social and Behavioral Research (CSBR). Key findings of this year's report range from measuring public attitudes and awareness of STEM to interest and achievement among Iowa students. The evaluation is funded in part by the STEM Council and a grant from the National Science Foundation.

To view the entire report, please visit: www.iowastem.gov/sites/default/files/evaluation/2014-15%20Iowa%20STEM%20Evaluation%20Report.pdf.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

21 Jul 2015

Scale-Up training helps Iowa educators prepare for new school year

By Angel Mendez

STEM Council coordinates more than 70 trainings to impact more than 100,000 Iowa students this year

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - This summer, thousands of Iowa educators are engaged in in-depth STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Scale-Up trainings aimed to equip them for implementing new STEM programs come fall. Through the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, nearly 3,000 Pre-K through 12 educators, both in and out of the classroom, will bring STEM learning to more than 100,000 students across Iowa.

This year, the STEM Council offered 14 STEM Scale-Up programs that include building robots and wind turbines to virtual reality and STEM career awareness. All programs demonstrate an appeal to diverse youth, show success in improving academic performance, provide evidence of integrating STEM concepts, promote the development of school-business-community partnerships and attain sustainability beyond STEM Council financial support.

Each program requires professional development that focuses on the best practices for incorporating the programs into current STEM curriculum. With the help and coordination of the six regional STEM managers, a total of 73 trainings will happen in each region across the state.

Results from the 2013-2014 Iowa STEM evaluation report show more than 90 percent of students who participated in a STEM Scale-Up program reported higher interest in at least one STEM subject or career. Nearly 75 percent of participating teachers report greater skill and confidence in teaching STEM and continue their program after the STEM Council's financial support ends.

STEM Scale-Up training will continue into October. For a full list of upcoming trainings, please visit http://iowastem.gov/sites/default/files/2015-16%20PD%20Plan%20Coordination.pdf.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Vermeer Corp. CEO and Chair of the Board Mary Andringa. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

28 Jan 2015

STEM Council broadens Scale-Up program menu for 2015-2016

By Angel Mendez

Total of 14 STEM programs to serve thousands of students across the state

 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - A statewide program of the Iowa Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council selected four new PreK-12 STEM education programs to serve thousands of students across the state in the 2015-2016 academic year.

The STEM Council voted to add "Ten80 National STEM League," "ST Math," "Project Lead the Way Launch" and "Project Lead the Way Computer Science and Software Engineering" to the Scale-Up program menu. These programs demonstrated their appeal to diverse youth, their success in improving academic performance and evidence of integrating STEM concepts, fostering of school-business-community partnerships and track records of sustainability.

This year, the STEM Council partnered with the national organization, Change the Equation, to select programs that meet the organization's "rigorous principles for effectiveness." With this partnership, the four new Scale-Up programs earned dual status within its "STEMWorks Database" and the STEM Council's Scale-Up program menu.

Iowa's Scale-Up initiative will now offer 14 programs that range from building robots and wind turbines to virtual reality, agricultural science, STEM career awareness and more. The new additions to last year's menu of 10 exemplary options for teachers will expand the elementary mathematics, engineering and computer science offerings.

"Bringing the best STEM learning opportunities to children everywhere in Iowa is the mission of Scale-Up. To be selected for partnership with Change The Equation on the process both complements and strengthens this important work," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, STEM Council co-chair. "Feedback from our evaluators documents the far-reaching and significant impact of the program on students and their teachers."

In the last three years, several thousand educators have implemented Scale-Up programs, including PreK-12 teachers, homeschoolers, after-school club leaders, Extension and 4-H professionals, daycare providers and church group sponsors. Almost all of Iowa's 348 school districts take part, reaching more than 100,000 youth each year. Results from the 2013-2014 Iowa STEM evaluation report show nearly 90 percent of students who participated in a Scale-Up program reported higher interest in at least one STEM subject or career with nearly 75 percent of past Scale-Up teachers continuing their program after the STEM Council's financial support ends.

"The STEM Council decided early on that the most efficient path to our goal for outstanding STEM in every classroom was to find and grow best practices rather than to reinvent the wheel," said Vermeer Corporation CEO and STEM Council co-chair Mary Andringa. "Scale-up is that vehicle, driven by our outstanding team of regional network managers, delivering proven and exciting hands-on learning across the state."
Beginning on Monday, January 26, the STEM Council invites all PreK-12 educators to apply for these STEM learning programs for the 2015-2016 academic year at IowaSTEM.gov/2015-16Scale-Up. That application window will close on Monday, March 9 and recipients will be announced at the end of March.

 

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member Council is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Vermeer Corp. CEO Mary Andringa. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

About Change the Equation

Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and implement excellent STEM policies and programs. CTEq's coalition of members are working toward universal STEM literacy by advocating for state policies and practices that are known to produce STEM-literate high school graduates; ensuring high standards for all students; and supporting evidence-based high quality STEM learning programs.

About Project Lead The Way Computer Science

Project Lead the Way Computer Science is an innovative 4-year computer science pathway that prepares high school students for the growing number of jobs that require computational thinking. For more information, visit https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-computer-science.

About Project Lead the Way Launch

Project Lead the Way Launch is a rigorous problem-based program in which K-5 students use structured approaches, such as the engineering design process and scientific method, to solve real-world problems. For more information, visit https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-launch.

About ST Math

ST Math uses instructional software to teach math concepts visually to elementary school through computer games, while developing critical problem-solving and reasoning skills essential for tomorrow's workforce. For more information, visit http://www.mindresearch.org/programs/.

About Ten80 National STEM League

TEN80 National STEM League inspires students to collaborate, create and compete in ways that mirror professional innovators in engineering, software and hardware integration, enterprise, marketing and sustainable development.

For more information, visit http://www.ten80education.com.

12 Jan 2015

STEM Council names five Iowa STEM CAPS Programs

By Angel Mendez

Centers for Advanced Professional Studies will serve as models across the state

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Iowa Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council took a major step in bringing innovative STEM education solutions to Iowa last month by naming five winners of a competition to build Iowa STEM Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) programs.

The STEM Council committed this year to identifying the most successful models known to connect schools with community-based business and industry to drive an understanding of how STEM concepts learned in school apply to careers. After studying various STEM schools across the country, the CAPS model of the Blue Valley School District of Overland Park, Kan., was determined by STEM Council leaders to be the closest to what Iowa seeks. Rather than a central destination, the Iowa team favored a "satellite" version being implemented by a consortium of districts in the North Kansas City region.

Iowa STEM CAPS programs will unite businesses and education for the organic development of STEM programs matching their local industry strengths, challenges and resources. Students at Iowa STEM CAPS sites will learn at business and industry sites or at an industry site located on a school campus.

"The STEM CAPS satellite model will allow students to experience the industry or business environment firsthand," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, co-chair of the STEM Council. "That experience is vital to prepare students for STEM success in college or career training after high school, and it allows business and industry to introduce students to outstanding career opportunities."

The STEM Council Executive Committee voted unanimously in December to award and support five competitively-selected school partnerships, bringing to the table a total cost-share commitment of $773,509. The $150,000 STEM Council investment is divided up among these five applicants that includes funding for professional development:

  • Bettendorf/Pleasant Valley;

  • Cedar Rapids/College Community (or Iowa BIG);

  • Kirkwood CC/University of Iowa/Clear Creak Amana/Iowa City/Regina/Solon/Tipton/West Branch/West Liberty;

  • Northeast; and

  • Rock Valley (or Rocket Manufacturing).

"These programs will unite local businesses and educators into a collaborative STEM environment, which is a key priority of the STEM Council," said Vermeer CEO Mary Andringa, co-chair of the STEM Council. "These partnerships represent a wonderful new paradigm for education that may ultimately shape the future of our state's economic development."

Each selected program submitted in-depth proposals, considering factors like education driven by business and industry need, rigorous, relevant and dynamic STEM curriculum and authentic partnerships. Their Iowa STEM CAPS models bring various strengths in community partnerships, district demographics and program focus.

During spring 2015, the STEM Council will hold professional development opportunities for potential and current districts and business and industry partners to learn more about Iowa STEM CAPS and strengthen statewide networks.

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About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our State's historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member Council is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Vermeer Corp. CEO Mary Andringa. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

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