Dan Kuchera from Clarksville High School Receives Iowa STEM Teacher Award

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department of Education is proud to announce that Dan Kuchera from Clarksville High School has been named as a recipient of the 2025 Northeast Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Google. The award is given to six teachers each year who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Dan, a science teacher at Clarksville High School, has over 40 years of experience helping students explore various STEM disciplines. From astronomy, meteorology, and anatomy to chemistry, physics, and more, he incorporates hands-on projects into lessons to enhance understanding and provide opportunities for creative challenges.

He has participated in the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program and has partnered with local professionals and businesses to bring in guest speakers, organize tours, provide equipment, and facilitate hands-on activities for students. Last spring, he led efforts to host a Science in the Park event at Lost Island Parks, bringing together students, businesses, and colleges from across the area for a collaborative learning experience.

For Dan, the most rewarding aspect of being a STEM teacher is the variety each day brings. With different activities, field trips, guest speakers, and demonstrations, no two days are ever the same, as the equipment, settings, and interactions continuously evolve.

As a recipient of the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Google, Dan will receive $1,500 for his classroom and an additional $1,500 for personal use. He, along with fellow honorees, were recognized on March 3 during STEM Day at the Capitol at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Four Schools in Northeast Iowa were Awarded STEM BEST® Funding

The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education is awarding four Iowa school districts in Northeast Iowa with STEM BEST® Program awards.

The STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program provides students with career-connected learning experiences. Students and teachers work closely with local workplaces and professionals to introduce and prepare learners for future success in their communities. By letting schools identify and anticipate local workforce needs in collaboration with business professionals, the STEM BEST® Program is able to strengthen Iowa’s future workforce through the development and expansion of project-based learning programs. 

The 2025-26 STEM BEST® Program awardees for Northeast Iowa are:

• Western Dubuque Junior/Senior High School
• Central Community School District
• MFL MarMac Community School District
• Midland Middle/High School

Including the latest awardees, 139 models across the state have been created or expanded since the STEM BEST® Program launched in 2014.  

The STEM Council’s investment of up to $40,000 for each awardee can be used for curriculum development or integration into existing courses, facility upgrades or purchase of industry grade equipment, educator training and professional development or time for program planning with community partners.

Requesting Exhibitors for the Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival in Waukon

Exhibitor registration is open for the Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival.

The Festival will be held on Thursday, April 24 from

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Fairgrounds in Waukon.

Who is invited to exhibit?

• Business and Industry
• Higher education
• Community non-profit groups
• Organizations providing STEM education

What are we looking for?

• Fun and free hands-on activities
• Conducting an experiment
• Playing a game
• Participating in an interactive demonstration
• Refer to examples for your organization

Due to limited space, the exhibitor registration deadline is April 10 or when we reach capacity.

Science Education Update Conference

The Science Education Update Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025 on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus.

COST

No cost to attend. Sub-reimbursements to

Grades K-12 teachers who register early.

AUDIENCE

The conference is intended for current and

future science teachers.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CONFERENCE

• Provides an opportunity for existing and future teachers to network

• Focuses on issues and topics related to teaching Grades K-12 Science and STEM

• Collaboration with UNI STEM Departments and Support Services

• Features a Keynote Presentation, Presentation and Workshop Sessions, Networking Focus Groups, and Exhibits

• Access to instructional resources and strategies for the classroom

• Lunch and refreshments provided, along with raffle for prizes and gifts

• Opportunity to participate in the Saturday, April 5 OpenSciEd workshop for elementary teachers

• Sub-reimbursements to K-12 teachers who register early

There is still time to register. Spots are going fast!

To learn more, visit

https://chas.uni.edu/science-ed/science-education-update-conference