 |
Great Turnout at the First Annual NIACC Family STEM Festival
The afternoon of November 20, commenced the first annual NIACC Family STEM Festival, bringing together over 20 exhibitors and 653 children, parents, and STEM enthusiasts from across the region.
|
The STEM wing at NIACC proved to be an excellent facility to host the jam-packed event. The event was a partnership between the North Central Hub, NIACC and Central Rivers AEA.
|
Computer Science is Elementary Application Details Available
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is partnering with business and industry on a new Computer Science is Elementary project. Six existing high-poverty schools will be selected to receive a $50,000 award to weave computational thinking and other elements of computer science into the broader curriculum. School districts and non-public school systems (or stand-alone non-public schools) may apply. Buildings must have at least 40 percent of students eligible for free- and reduced-price lunch. The program is targeted primarily to one high-poverty school, but other schools in the district or system may benefit, such as participating in computer science professional development.
|
Students learn computational thinking and other skills from Loess Hilss Computer Programming School In Sioux City, which is the inspiration for the Computer Science is Elementary project.
|
Iowa' Governor's STEM Advisory Council releases 2017-18 STEM Evaluation Report
T
he Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council released the 2017-2018 Iowa STEM Evaluation Report. This independent evaluation measures the STEM Council’s progress toward increasing student interest and achievement in STEM education and workforce development in Iowa.
Highlights of the report include:
• Students who participated in the STEM Scale-Up Programs scored an average of 2 points higher in National Percentile Rank on the Iowa Assessments in mathematics and reading and 3 points higher in science.
• For minority students, STEM Scale-Up Program participants scored an average of 5 points higher in National Percentile Rank on the Iowa Assessments in mathematics and reading and 5 points higher in science.
• Among educators taking part in the STEM Scale-Up Program, 91 percent agreed or strongly agreed that they now have more confidence to teach STEM topics and have increased their STEM knowledge
• The percent of students who said they were very interested in someday working in Iowa was 45 percent of STEM Scale-Up Program participants compared to 36 percent of students statewide.
• From 2012-2013 to 2016-2017, STEM awards (including certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and other awards) have increased 26 percent at Iowa’s four-year public universities, 20 percent at Iowa’s four-year private colleges and universities, and 2 percent at Iowa’s two-year community colleges.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kelly Bergman
Iowa State University
1259 Stange Rd
Ames, IA 50011-1002
Phone: 515-203-7247
Email: kbergman@iastate.edu
Website: ncstemhub.iastate.edu
|
2018-19 NC STEM Advisory Board
Lindsey Falk, St. Ansgar
Ashley Flatebo, Garner
Doug Jacobson, Ames
Sara Nelson, Ames
Michael Pedersen, Marshalltown
Ben Petty, Conrad
Kathy Rogotzke, Mason City,
Sarah Rosenblum, Marshalltown
Camille Sloan Schroeder, Boone
Kerry Weig, Nevada
Nancy Woods, Boone
Richard Wrage, Boone
Michael Young, Ames
David Zrostlik, Garner
|
Iowa STEM Council Awards 13 STEM BEST®
Programs
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has awarded 13 new STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) projects across Iowa for a total of 50 since 2014. The STEM BEST Program fosters a learning environment where students are able to participate in real workplace projects designed by business professionals and teachers, and apply K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics to skills, knowledge and behaviors needed for STEM careers.
Congratulations to the North Central 2018 STEM BEST Program awardee, St. Mary School in Humboldt.
If you are interested in applying for the STEM BEST award and would like more information, contact Kelly Bergman,
kbergman@iastate.edu
.
|
Advisory Board visits Stellar Industries
Led by Dave Zrostlik, President of Stellar Industries and NC STEM Board Member, The North Central STEM Region Advisory Board toured Stellar Industries in Garner. Stellar Industries is a premier manufacturer of hydraulic truck mounted equipment. Board members learned about the engineering and manufacturing of the equipment and what STEM opportunities look like in the state of Iowa.
|
|
|
