January 2018
Monthly News
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IN THIS ISSUE
Furthering STEM Momentum in 2018: A Letter from the Interim Executive Director
STEM Scale-Up Application Period Underway
TLC Collaboration in STEM
Save the Date! Governor's 2018 Future Ready Iowa Summit Coming This Spring
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UPCOMING EVENTS
February 10, 2018 - 10 a.m.
Burlington STEM Festival
February 12, 2018 - 10 a.m.
Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
February 14, 2018 - 2 p.m.
South Central Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
February 15, 018 - 9 a.m.
Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board Meeting
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Furthering STEM Momentum in 2018: A Letter from the Interim Executive Director
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I am honored to have the privilege of serving as the Interim Executive Director of the Iowa STEM Advisory Council this year in Jeff Weld's absence.
And as many of you know, I have a passion for STEM Education and have been engaged with the STEM Council's work since its inception in 2011. For the first 12 years of my 20-year career with Rockwell Collins, I led the community relations function, directing our STEM education outreach and charitable giving programs, which included developing a comprehensive STEM education strategy focused on fueling the talent pipeline to enable our business growth. In my current role with Rockwell Collins, I lead business communications and serve as the state and local government relations liaison for the company.
I've spent this first month listening and learning. And I want to assure you that the STEM Network Team of Carrie Rankin, Kari Britain, Lindy Ibeling and the Regional STEM Managers are the central nervous system of our operations, and their knowledge and dedication will keep all of our programs humming. But I'm also ready to share my experiences and ideas, including how we might further engage students with Iowa businesses, to better connect with underrepresented student populations and provide line of sight to exciting and fulfilling STEM careers right here in our state.
Thank you for all you do to advance the STEM effort in our state. I look forward to working together on the exciting opportunities ahead for Iowa STEM.
Sincerely,
Cindy Dietz
Interim Executive Director
Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council
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STEM Scale-Up Application Period Underway
Over the past six years, the STEM Scale-Up Program has impacted the lives of more than 500,000 students through world-class STEM experiences. Each year, programs are selected after a rigorous review process for the upcoming academic year. The STEM Council's Executive Committee approved ten programs to be part of the 2018-19 STEM Scale-Up Program menu.
Why should educators take part in the STEM Scale-Up Program?
1.Students who participate in a STEM Scale-Up Program score higher in mathematics, science, and reading assessments.
2.There is an increase in the proportion of Iowa's students who are proficient in mathematics on standardized tests that most students in Iowa take annually.
3.Educators who take part in the STEM Scale-Up Program have more confidence in teaching STEM topics.
4.Students who participate in the STEM Scale-Up Program are more interested in STEM subjects, STEM careers and working in Iowa after graduation than students statewide.
Award recipients for the 2018-19 STEM Scale-Up Program will be announced mid-April. Training for each respective program will begin this summer in order to be implemented in the fall.
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TLC Collaboration in STEM
A cold, winter morning did not dampen the energy and excitement of nearly 100 teacher leaders and instructional coaches (TLC) in STEM, who assembled for a "huddle" at the Emerson Innovation Center in Marshalltown.
Regional STEM Managers shared the newly released menu of
2018-19 STEM Scale-Up Programs
and provided details of each program's objectives, requirements and provisions. Featured speakers also included Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend who shared information about Future Ready Iowa, statistics of employability of Iowans and strategies being developed to increase career awareness and to grow the future workforce and talent pipeline in the state. Iowa Department of Education's State Science Supervisor Dr. Kris Kilibarda provided updates and led table discussions related to effectively supporting STEM instruction.
In 2017, the Iowa STEM Council and building-level lead instructors in the applied fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics formed a natural partnership and began convening. These gatherings were designed to offer a setting for TLC educators to network, gain insights and communicate best practices, opportunities and resources that can then be taken home and shared with their local colleagues to impact students throughout Iowa.
Teacher leaders and instructional coaches in STEM areas interested in joining future group convenings should register interest at
info@IowaSTEM.gov
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Save the Date! Governor's 2018 Future Ready Iowa Summit Coming This Spring
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Mark your calendar for the Governor's 2018 Future Ready Iowa Summit to be held on April 3, 2018, at the Iowa Events Center.
This one-day event brings together leaders from business and industry, education, nonprofits, elected officials, students and others to amplify the public conversation about transforming education and the workforce, with a focus on expanding work-based learning and computer science instruction.
The Summit features an remarkable agenda of inspiring and distinguished speakers, including: Brandon Busteed, Gallup's executive director of education and workforce development; Mary Andringa, chair of the board of Vermeer Corporation; Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org; a panel of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; and Jeff Weld, senior policy advisor for STEM education at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The agenda also features a showcase of interactive work-based learning exhibits, table talks, networking opportunities and breakout sessions.
Registration for the Governor's 2018 Future Ready Iowa Summit opens
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Contact the Iowa STEM Operations Center by phone at (319) 273-2959
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