Southwest Iowa STEM

Regional Newsletter: May 2023

Attendees L to R: Dr. Jeff Weld (Executive Director, STEM Council), Dr. Jason Smith (Professor of Mathematics, Graceland University), Deb Sprecker (Executive Director, Woodbine Main Street), Terry Torneten (ISU Extension and Outreach Regional Extension Education Director), Joni Ehm (Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Manager), Denise Hoag (Computer Science Teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School), Dawn Miller (Director, Lakin Library & Envisioning Center, Misty Gray (SW District Consultant, State Library of Iowa).

On Tuesday, May 30th, the Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Advisory Board met at the Lakin Library and Envisioning Center in Tabor, IA. At the conclusion of the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the SW STEM Board, the members present were invited on a tour of the library with the Library Director, Dawn Miller.

The Lakin Library and Envisioning Center offers a wide array of STEM opportunities for the community. The library has STEM kits for check out to families, weekly STEM programming during the summer, and a makerspace for people of all ages to use to create. Through partnerships with local schools and community organizations, the library offers a diverse range of workshops, classes, and events. Children and teenagers are encouraged to explore coding, robotics, and other STEM disciplines, igniting their curiosity and nurturing their problem-solving abilities.

To find out more about the Lakin Library and Envisioning Center and learn more about their programs, please visit their Facebook page ➡️ Click here.

Southwest Scale-Up Awardees, please save the date for your program's training. Registration details will be coming soon from your specific program's provider. In the meantime, if you have questions, email Joni Ehm. Just a reminder that to receive materials, you must attend training.

Positive Physics and Chemistry

July 3 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

July 18 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

July 27 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

July 31 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

August 9 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

August 23 -- Positive Physics and Chemistry, virtual

Storytime STEM

July 17 -- Storytime STEM: Earth Day

July 18 -- Storytime STEM: Blue Girl, virtual

July 19 -- Storytime STEM: Happy Planet, virtual

July 20 -- Storytime STEM: Dragonland, virtual

July 21 -- Storytime STEM: Moon, virtual

Daily Math

July 18 -- Daily Math, virtual

July 19 -- Daily Math, virtual

July 20 -- Daily Math, virtual

July 25 -- Daily Math, virtual

STEM Cart

August 9 -- Atlantic

STEM Innovator

July 18-19 -- Iowa City

WaterWorks

August 2 -- Avoca

October 14 -- Avoca

Tiny Techies

July 28 -- Creston

Discover Drones

August 3-4 -- Creston

Ioponics

August 7 -- Red Oak

Note: Codelicious, Python for BBC micro:bit, TBA

With summer approaching, you may be wondering how to keep kids engaged. Utilize the Teachable Moment Collection so kids can enjoy the fun and educational activities at home! Whether they're into astronomy, computer coding, hands-on-building or finding STEM books—there is something for children of all ages.

Click ➡️ HERE to access the content!

Camp Invention

Earlham July 10-14: Click here to register

Clarinda July 10-14: Click here to register

Join us for STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair on August 20th!

Interested in working with schools and business to promote STEM in Iowa? The Southwest STEM Region is looking for a new Regional Manager,beginning in August. For more information email info@iowastem.org!