Who Can Apply

Applications to become a STEM BEST program open on October 7, via the IowaGrants.gov portal. All accredited Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12, or clusters of schools/districts, are invited.

Requirements

An applicant is required to provide a 2:1 match. If seeking the full $40,000, your required cost-share would be $20,000. The match may be either cash and/or in-kind support and the match may be contributed by the applicant or a community partner. To be eligible as a match, the cash and/or in-kind contribution must be provided during the funding period of the STEM BEST program award.

Examples of Fund Use

Here are 118 ways other Iowa schools have used STEM BEST funds: https://educate.iowa.gov/media/9840/download?inline

Ideas include include:

• Facility upgrades
• Purchase of industry grade equipment
• Acquiring additional space
• Time for program planning with partners
• Travel needs for exploration
• Integrating curriculum into existing courses

Application & Program Timeline

Starting today, consider programs you'd like to build or expand in your community. Take note of what you hope to accomplish, and make a list of potential community partners. Here are some important dates:

• Oct. 7, 2024: Application opens in IowaGrants.gov
• Dec. 18, 2024: Application due by 4:59pm
• December 2024 - January, 2025: Application Review
• February 2025: Awards Announced
• February 2025 - May 2026: STEM BEST program planning and implementation
• May 15, 2026: Progress report and final invoice must be submitted

Please send questions to Iowa STEM BEST Program Manager Tanya Hunt, at hunt@iowastem.org

Each year, Iowa STEM seeks prospective program providers to offer STEM Scale-Up programs. Through an application and selection process, program providers offer evidence-based STEM programs for Iowa STEM Scale-Up educators to use in their classrooms.

STEM Scale-Up uses a combination of state and private funds to invest in evidence-based STEM programs for Iowa schools. The intent of the program is to develop or expand exemplary STEM programs that have future sustainability and the power to inspire and educate PK-12 students.

Timeline

• Aug. 5, 2024: 2025-26 STEM Scale-Up Program Provider Application posted and disseminated.
• Aug. 8, 2024, 2:00 PM Central Time: Informational webinar for program providers. (Recording)
• Sept. 10, 2024, 4:59 PM Central Time: Program provider application submission deadline.
• September - November 2024: Review period.
• November 2024: Selected program providers notified.
• November - December 2024: Selected program providers collaborate with Iowa STEM to prepare materials for the educator application phase.

Eligible Applicants

STEM programs that serve PK-12 students in or out of school with the capacity to deliver professional development/training and materials in Iowa are eligible to apply to provide programs for STEM Scale-Up. Professional development/training is appropriate for Iowa STEM Scale-Up programs when preparing an educator to implement a student kit, curriculum, activity, lesson or new course of study in STEM.

For more information on the Iowa STEM Scale-Up program, visit the Iowa STEM website or contact Sarah Derry, South Central Region STEM Manager at sarah.derry@drake.edu.

Ever wondered why kids spin, walk narrow curbs, and love fair rides? Besides the fun, they are developing their vestibular system. And it turns out that all of those feats are important steps in building lifelong learners. Understanding how the vestibular system relates to learning is the foundation of the Iowa Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education Director, Dr. Beth VanMeeteren, and their All About Balance Scale-Up.

The Science

The vestibular system is critical to body balance. It begins in the inner ear and detects and encodes head motion. The proprioceptors provide feedback about body and limb position, communicating via muscles, joints, and tendons. The vestibular system and proprioceptors work together to control motor planning, telling the body where to move in the world. It also controls hand-eye coordination, which is essential to reading and writing.

The Scale-Up

All About Balance capitalizes on the curiosity of children as they actively explore the role of balance within the world of objects and with their own bodies. The role of balance permeates our world and our place in it. Balance is essential to human movement, the design and engineering of technology, and the aesthetic elements of art. It's also essential to algebraic and chemical equations and in financial literacy.

"Our program is researched-based on how children learn," said VanMeeteran. "What makes our program unique is that we look at the world through the children's eyes and then identify connections to STEM thinking within the child’s interests."

VanMeeteren said that both pediatricians and education researchers have been noticing more children with poor vestibular systems. "They trace it to inactivity," she noted. "This produces a soft core, makes kids clumsy, and slows down hand-eye connections in reading and writing."

To change this trajectory, it's important to get the youngest learners (ages preschool through third grade) active through open-ended and challenging learning experiences. While investigating balance for stability in kinetic movement, children develop spatial thinking, which has a powerful and long-lasting impact on cognition.

For example, said VanMeeteren, "Studies show that children who build with wooden unit blocks outperform their peers that don’t in math and science in middle school and high school. They're also more likely to choose a STEM career." In other words, when young children learn through play, benefits in academic and career achievement are seen throughout their lives.

The Set

All About Balance is one of four total programs VanMeeteren’s team has developed into Iowa STEM Scale-Ups. Others include Ramps & Pathways, Light & Shadow, and Waterworks. All of the kits are based on the best practices of early childhood education for children through 3rd grade.

If you didn't receive a Scale-Up but might have other purchase funds, please see their website, STEMware Marketplace, or reach out via email.

The Partnership

VanMeeteren credits Iowa STEM Advisory Council and Governor Kim Reynolds for making the Scale-Up program available across Iowa. "We're grateful for the opportunity to present this to Iowa teachers who ultimately teach Iowa children."

And we're just as grateful to All About Balance (and all of the other Scale-Up programs) that developed from the common goal of making school more positive and meaningful for every kid.

Iowa PBS has been active with Iowa STEM since its inception, hosting festivals, providing training locations, and sending exhibitors to events across the state.

Over the past few years, they've taken their work with teachers and students to the next level by creating an original Iowa PBS Science Phenomena website. It's an online resource that creates, curates, collects and shares a growing collection of user-generated, media-based, standards aligned, science phenomena resources for use in Iowa classrooms. There is also built-in support for Iowa teachers as they continue to implement phenomena-based and place-based teaching practices.

Ken Harrison, Director of Educational Services, remains committed to providing this free and valuable resource. He spoke as to why Iowa PBS invested time and funding into this project:

Visit the links below to learn more, utilize their curriculum, or submit your own creation for consideration. If you have questions, please contact Iowa PBS: phenomena@iowapbs.org

Thank you to St. Theresa Catholic School for hosting the Teachley Math professional development this past month! St. Theresa's has been a long-standing Iowa STEM partner, hosting trainings, exhibiting at STEM festivals, and speaking at Iowa STEM events.

The Teachley Math Scale-Up is unique because uses games to help students build math fluency, and it's tailored to individual needs. Iowa teachers at both South Central trainings shared that they want to make time for more small group work. Scale-Up recipients hope these games will help engage students in productive practice, giving the instructor more time to work with small groups.

Above: Past youth advisory board member Troy Voeller, left, helped at STEM on the Ridge.

We're so excited to announce the 2024-25 Iowa STEM Youth Advisory Board! Established in 2017, this group is instrumental in contributing to Iowa STEM's mission and inspiring Iowa youth in STEM through peer-to-peer engagement. 

Here are the South Central Regions official members:

• Elizabeth M., West Des Moines
• Gabriela L., Johnston
• Kanishk B., Waukee
• Mia S., Clive
• Ritvik A., West Des Moines
• Shreyas S., Urbandale
• Sreenithya D., West Des Moines

If you are interested or know of a student who would be interested in applying for this position, please visit Iowa STEM's website: https://educate.iowa.gov/iowa-stem-youth-advisory.

All-Southern Iowa STEM Fest

Saturday, October 5, from 10AM-2PM  

Wayne County Fair Grounds Event Center 

(2nd Ave, Corydon, IA, 50060)

Calling all Southern Iowa families! Please register today for an incredible regional STEM event. Free admission, free lunch, and over 40 hands-on activities and demonstrations. It's perfect for grades PreK-8 and families, and there is something for everyone's STEM interest. The event was created through a partnership with East Penn Manufacturing., Corydon Hy-Vee, the SC STEM Hub, and many community members who want the best future for Iowa kids.

Please follow the links below to register:

• Exhibit: https://forms.gle/9sSxXpcjZr4sopwi7
• Attend: https://forms.gle/5LRvthmZoPAoPeXH6
• Volunteer: https://forms.gle/YugNUnpY3ihrdbeh