I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you an exciting opportunity students in the Quad Cities will have this Friday, an opportunity that should make us proud as Iowans. On Friday at noon, students in the Quad Cities will have an opportunity to speak with NASA astronauts who are currently aboard the International Space Station. The event, taking place at Davenport's own Putnam Museum, allows students the chance to engage with two NASA astronauts about life, work, and research while orbiting Earth in the International Space Station. The event will be carried live on NASA TV and can be viewed by visiting http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. I encourage you to tune in and watch as our students make us proud. 

I can't tell you how pleased I am to learn that our students will have such an opportunity. I know Iowa is home to some of the most dedicated and brightest students, and I'm grateful that NASA recognized this as well. As our economy continues to recover, I believe that we must continue to invest in our children and ensure they have the tools to not only compete in our 21^st Century global economy, but to lead it. While we must get our economy moving again, I believe we also must ensure we're able to keep it moving for generations to come. The chance for our students to engage with NASA astronauts demonstrates the value of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning and the opportunities we can embrace to create the jobs of the future right here in Iowa. 

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

MILWAUKEE, WI (01/23/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local students have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2012 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.:

Thomas Grabow of Davenport, IA. Grabow is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Matthew Noe of Rock Island, IL. Noe is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Bradley Whan of Coal Valley, IL. Whan is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.

Shannon Gambon of Coal Valley, IL. Gambon is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology.

Emmaline Jurgena of Davenport, IA. Jurgena is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Nikki Katschnig of Prophetstown, IL. Katschnig is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Benjamin Minnick of Sterling, IL. Minnick is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Tara Vandygriff of Rock Island, IL. Vandygriff is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.

Alexa Hackfort of Bettendorf, IA. Hackfort is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.

Mary Rose Dukelow of Sterling, IL. Dukelow is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology & Audiology.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws its more than 11,500 students from all 50 states and more than 75 different countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.

 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ About 250 students from Davenport and nearby Illinois schools have an appointment to talk with astronauts on board the International Space Station on Friday.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. for students gathered at the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science in Davenport.

Participating students are from North High School, Smart Middle School and Buffalo Elementary in Davenport. In addition students from elementary schools in Rock Island and Moline in Illinois are invited.

Their conversation with astronauts Kevin Ford and Tom Marshburn will be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

NASA works with educational organizations in the United States to improve teaching and learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics using the unique environment of space and the human spaceflight program.

Iowa to receive up to $115,000 for math and science programs across the state

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 16, 2013) - For the second consecutive year, America's Farmers Grow Rural Education ^SM, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will give Iowa farmers the opportunity to enhance math and science programs in their communities. Now until April 15, 2013, farmers can nominate a local public school district to compete for a merit-based grant of up to $25,000. Administrators of nominated school districts may then submit grant applications through April 30, 2013. This year, the program expands to 26 new counties, for a total of 1,271 eligible counties across 39 states.

The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to society.  Following a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois, America's Farmers Grow Rural Education debuted nationally last year, awarding $2.3 million to school districts coast to coast.

"We believe engaging rural youth in their math and science studies lays the foundation for a bright future," said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. "This generation is the future of agriculture, and funding from the Grow Rural Education program helps ensure they are ready to be the next great leaders."

Eligible farmers can nominate their favorite public school district by visiting www.GrowRuralEducation.com and following the "Nominate Now" link on the top, left-hand corner of the page. Farmers may also nominate a school district by calling 1-877-267-3332.

In 2012, the following Iowa school districts received a total of $165,000 to enhance math and science curriculums:

·         George Little Rock Community Schools, $10,000

·         Hampton-Dumont Community School District, $10,000

·         Lamoni Community School District, $10,000

·         Logan-Magnolia School District, $10,000

·         Marmon Trail Community School District, $25,000

·         New Hampton School District, $25,000

·         New London Community School District, $10,000

·         North Tama County Community School District, $10,000

·         Northeast Community School District, $10,000

·         Riceville Community School District, $10,000

·         Schleswig Community School District, $25,000

·         Sidney Community School District, $10,000

Thanks to the support of local farmers and the grant from America's Farmers Grow Rural Education?, Lamoni School District received a $10,000 grant to purchase modern scientific tools to expand student understanding.

"Using the funds from the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education grant, we purchased new lab equipment so our students can apply science to real life," said Shirley Kessel, 2012 grant application writer for Lamoni Schools. "Schools are at the heart of smaller communities and we greatly appreciate the support of our local nominating farmers."

Grants will be awarded by the Monsanto Fund based on merit, need and community support. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 30 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications.  Advisory Council members were selected based on their passion for agriculture and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.

America's Farmers Grow Rural Education is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to strengthen America's farming communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America's Farmers Grow Communities, which gives winning farmers the opportunity to direct a $2,500 donation to a community nonprofit organization in their county.
For more information about the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program and to view the official rules, visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com. To read more about the 2013 Grow Rural Education launch, and to view the 2013 launch video, please visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10308518.htm.

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