TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE
Para1UI's record research award to advance study of magnetic fields 
 
A constant outflow of solar material streams out from the sun, depicted here in an artist's rendering. The UI is leading a research mission that will help scientists understand how these solar winds affect earth. CREDIT NASA


A team led by University of Iowa physicist Craig Kletzing has won $115 million from NASA to study the powerful interactions between the magnetic fields of the sun and Earth.
 
The contract award is the single largest externally funded research project in UI history. Out of more than 35,000 projects awarded to the UI since 1965, Mr. Kletzing's contract is the only research award of more than $100 million, according to Iowa Now.
 
"This is a career milestone for me personally," Mr. Kletzing told the university news service. "It's also a fantastic opportunity to do some really great science with an all-star team."
 
Mr. Kletzing's project, called Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS), is part of a larger initiative by NASA called the Explorers Program, which aims to study how the sun affects space and the space environment around planets.
 
The sun generates a vast outpouring of solar particles known as the solar wind, which can create a dynamic system of radiation in space called space weather. Near Earth, where such particles interact with our planet's magnetic field, the space weather system can lead to profound impacts on human interests, such as astronauts' safety, radio communications, GPS signals and utility grids on the ground.
 
Researchers hope that a better understanding of space weather and its interaction with the Earth will allow humans to mitigate its effects, including safeguarding astronauts and technology crucial to other NASA missions. The TRACERS mission will study how magnetic fields around Earth interact with those from the sun.
 
"The TRACERS research addresses long-standing questions about how energy couples from the solar wind into our local magnetosphere," Mr. Kletzing told Iowa Now. "One of the long-term goals of our space research to evolve toward predictive 'space weather' models to improve our ability to utilize space as a resource. The science that TRACERS studies will be essential to achieve this goal."
 
Mr. Kletzing and a team of about 20 researchers at the UI will lead the project, in collaboration with other partner institutions around the country, including Auburn University, Dartmouth College, the University of California Berkley, University of California Los Angeles and the University of Colorado Boulder. The funding will be split among the partners, and will pay for the development of at least two specialized instruments to be launched into space.
 
The initial launch date for the mission was to be no later than August 2022, although a UI representative said that may be pushed to 2023 due to project lags caused by the U.S. government shutdown that lasted from Dec. 22, 2018, to Jan. 25 of this year.
 
"This is a monumental accomplishment for the University of Iowa, and in particular for Craig Kletzing's ambitious and experienced team and the Department of Physics and Astronomy," said John Keller, interim vice president for research and dean of the Graduate College. "As with [UI physicist] James Van Allen's discovery of the radiation belts, this project again demonstrates to the world why the University of Iowa is a global leader in space science and discovery."
Para2In the CBJ: Potential mineral trove stokes hopes, fears in Iowa 
A map of geophysical anomalies in northeast Iowa detected by aerial mapping. MAP IGS
A single bore hole - if it's ever drilled - is the next step in mapping a potential trillion-dollar trove of gold, silver, platinum, rare earths and other "critical minerals" that government geologists say may underlie northeast Iowa's Driftless Region.

Denver-based U.S. Geological Survey scientist Benjamin Drenth hopes increased funding for the agency's Mineral Resources program under the Trump administration will improve his chances at securing $600,000 for a 2,500-foot borehole near Manchester to probe an anomaly in the geological structure labeled the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex (NEIIC).

"We need to get a better handle on what kind of rocks are down there," he explained.

His team is looking for evidence to support early indications that the NEIIC is similar in make-up to the mineral-rich Duluth Complex in Minnesota's Iron Ranges, which is where the trillion-dollar estimate originated. Like the Duluth Complex, the NEIIC lies alongside the Midcontinent Rift Structure, a 1.1 billion-year-old subterranean feature stretching from Kansas to Michigan.

Under Mr. Drenth's leadership, the USGS and Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) are following up on aerial geophysical mapping done between 1950 and the 1970s, and later aeromagnetic and airborne gravity surveys that detected variations of iron content in rocks and differences in rock densities in two areas. 

One reaches from around Decorah into southeast Minnesota. The other is centered on Manchester.
The findings led to aerial surveys of a larger area centered on Buchanan County and covering parts of nine other Iowa counties, including the northern edge of the Corridor.

Read the full members-only story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ. 
Para3STEM Council Scale-Up programs awarded to 1,200 educators
 
The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council has awarded STEM Scale-Up programs to more than 1,200 Iowa educators for the 2019-20 academic year, which will in turn impact an estimated 83,000 students in the coming school year.
 
"The idea behind the STEM Scale-Up Program was that our Council believes that every young Iowan, especially those of disadvantage, deserves the same high-quality learning opportunities as the most advantaged learners, anywhere in the world," said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, in a release. "Today, the preK-12 learners taking part in Scale-Up play second string to no one when it comes to world-class STEM education experiences."
 
After completing a thorough review process, a menu of 10 high-quality STEM programs were selected in January to "scale up" in Iowa's PreK-12 schools, after school programs and other educational settings. Iowa educators were able to apply for one or more of these STEM Scale-Up programs to implement in their school or institution.
 
Iowa's regional STEM managers, guided by their regional STEM advisory boards, selected recipients throughout the state based on need, student diversity, geographic distribution, capacity to sustain and other factors.
 
Since 2012, funding from the Iowa legislature has enabled nearly 500,000 PreK-12 Iowans to take part in these STEM programs.
  
Educator training for the STEM Scale-Up programs will begin this summer, followed by implementation of the programs this fall. A complete list of 2019-20 STEM Scale-Up program awards can be found at   www.IowaSTEM.gov/Scale-Up .
Para4ISE's Coding Garage marks fifth year of (app) development
 
Students participating in a recent Coding Garage session. CREDIT ISE
Innovative Software Engineering's Coding Garage is back for its fifth year, with 46 area high school students learning to create an original Android app using coding skills learned through the annual summer program.
 
The Coralville-based software development company launched the nine-week mobile development workshop in 2014 as an outgrowth of its summer internship program. It is now offered free for participants, thanks to sponsorships from the University of Iowa Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group.
 
New for participants this summer is a choice between two knowledge tracks: Introductory for students creating their first mobile application, and Advanced for more experienced individuals ready to learn deeper skill sets with the help of software engineers from ISE.
 
This year's program will conclude on Aug. 6 with a presentation of mobile apps to friends, family and a panel of judges, and $850 in cash prizes awarded to the students with the best innovations.
 
Speaking to the CBJ about the Coding Garage in 2015, ISE President and CEO Hass Machlab said he views the program as an opportunity to cultivate interest in not only tech companies, but specifically tech companies in Iowa and the Corridor.
 
"If we start exposing them early on in the high school environment, and give them the chance to work with businesses, then two things happen," he said. "Hopefully, we get the chance to have more experienced professionals ... and do something that benefits the community."
Para5TAI plans inaugural Iowa High School Technology Summit
 
The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) will host the first Iowa High School Technology Summit Sept. 30 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines to expose high school students to technology companies and careers across Iowa.
 
At the event, presented by Principal Financial Group, three IT professionals will deliver presentations designed to challenge stereotypes, demystify the industry, and inspire the next generation
of Iowa's high-tech workforce. The conference also will be live streamed and open to any Iowa student for the purpose of exposing them to technology professionals and careers in Iowa.
 
"We want to introduce students to the great job opportunities in Iowa technology," said Brian Waller, president of TAI, in a press release. "Whether it's building an app for a large transportation company or being on the ground floor of a startup creating the next big thing in software, there are incredible jobs in technology across the state."
 
The average salary for technology professionals in Iowa is $80,100, which is 76 percent higher than Iowa's average salary of $45,610, according to CompTIA. Not all technology jobs require a four-year degree.
 
"It's important that students are aware of the amazing technology successes that are happening in Iowa and the opportunities that exist for future employees who are tech-savvy," Principal Financial Group EVP, CIO and chief digital officer Gary Scholten said in a press release.
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stockCorridor Stocks

NAME SYM PRICE CHG %CHG
AEGON AEG 4.83 -0.05 -1.02%
Alliant Energy LNT 49.78 -0.03 -0.06%
Casey's General Stores CASY 154.66 0.65 0.42%
Deere & Company DE 166.32 -0.56 -0.34%
Dow Jones ^DJI 26,548.22 -179.32 -0.67%
General Mills GIS 53.70 0.03 0.06%
GoDaddy GDDY 69.71 -2.32 -3.22%
Great Western Bank GWB 34.46 -0.04 -0.12%
Heartland Express HTLD 17.59 0.21 1.21%
KemPharm KMPH 1.56 0.02 1.30%
Marsh & McLennan MMC 98.62 0.54 0.55%
MidWestOne MOFG 26.19 0.17 0.65%
Pearson PSO 10.28 -0.14 -1.34%
Pepsico PEP 133.81 -0.33 -0.25%
Principal Financial PFG 56.43 -1.08 -1.88%
QCR Holdings QCRH 33.47 0.16 0.48%
S&P 500 ^GSPC 2,917.38 -27.97 -0.95%
Procter & Gamble PG 111.74 -0.59 -0.53%
United Fire Group UFCS 49.36 0.75 1.54%
U.S. Bank USB 52.04 -0.26 -0.50%
United Technologies UTX 129.03 -1.15 -0.88%
Wells Fargo WFC 46.16 -0.11 -0.24%
West Bank WTBA 20.92 0.32 1.55%
Whirlpool WHR 137.60 -2.50 -1.78%
Short-Term Event Planner
       
June 26
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more . Free. For more information, visit   facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/.
 
Mid-Year Economic Review, by Corridor Business Journal, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 350 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. This luncheon will examine how the economy has changed in 2019 and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Corridor businesses. Ernie Goss of Creighton University will be the keynote speaker. Tickets: $50, or $500 per table of 10. For more information or to register, visit www.corridorbusiness.com/events  or call Ashley Levitt at (319) 665-6397, ext. 311.
 
June 27
Breakfast Roundtable, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 7:30-9 a.m., Scott's Family Restaurant, 1906 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids. Free. Build relationships, share best practices and get help with challenges. Free. To register, visit shorturl.at/enGIJ.
 
Effective Storytelling on Social Media, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8-9:15 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Learn how stories work on major social media platforms and tips for creating great content. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2w8io0h.
 
Business 90-Day  Planning Workshop,  by ActionCOACH Heartland, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 230 Second St. SE, Suite 218, Cedar Rapids. This strategic planning workshop will help business owners develop their third-quarter plan. Fee:   $100 for first-time attendees, includes workshop binder, lunch, book and one-hour coaching session. To register, visit actiongc.eventbrite.com. 
 
Minimizing Exposure to Harassment Claims, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11:30-1 p.m., Hills Bank, 3905 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids. Learn how to protect yourself and your business if you are hit with a harassment claim. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/2Z0u41B.
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28 
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
Voters in the Alburnett School District are today deciding on $11.64 million in funding for upgrades at several schools. A special election will ask voters for approval of two public measures allowing them to raise taxes by an estimated $1.89 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation. The additional funds would allow the district to build 10 additional classrooms, updated facilities for career and technical classes, music classrooms, a library/media center, additional parking, an auditorium, restroom updates and security for the elementary's entrance. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The measures will need more than 60 percent approval to pass.

On Sunday, June 30, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) will be making stops in Linn and Benton Counties as part of her 99 County Tour for 2019. In Linn County, Ms. Ernst will serve as a judge in the "Make it with Bacon" Cooking Contest. In Benton County, she will visit the Benton County Speedway. In between 99 County Tour stops, Ms. Ernst will present a number of medals, including a Purple Heart to the family of Darrell E. Washburn, an Army veteran who passed away in December 2016. After each of the events, Ms. Ernst will have a few minutes to speak with the press. For a full list of local stops, click here.
  
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
 
Warmer air moves in today with temperatures in the 80s under mostly sunny skies. It will be a bit more humid today, too. This is ahead of a cold front that will arrive this evening. A few scattered showers and storms will be possible ahead of this front, mainly near and south of Highway 30. Warm, muggy and summery conditions will continue for the rest of the week. Temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 80s Wednesday through Friday with high humidity. There will be some chances for storms Wednesday night with a higher chance Thursday into Friday. There is still uncertainty in the placement and intensity of these storms right now.