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The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, at the Iowa Department of Education, is accepting applications for the STEM BEST® (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) Program.
Who may Apply?
Any Iowa public and nonpublic school district(s) and building(s) serving students in grades K-12 may apply for the competitive grant opportunity.
What's the Big Picture?
- Award amounts up to $40,000.
- Must have a business and/or a community partner.
- The time frame for expenditure is 17 months – February 2024 to June 2025.
- Cost-share requirement is 2:1 match required, or $40,000 state to $20,000 awardee. In-kind funds count.
- Funds may be used to explore, implement or expand.
What's the Timeline?
- December 13, 2023: Application due by 11:59pm.
- December 2023 - January, 2024: Application Review.
- February 2024: Awards Announced.
- February 2024 - May 2025: STEM BEST Program Planning and Implementation.
- May 15, 2025: Progress Report and final invoice due.
The STEM BEST Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to design project-based learning models that combine STEM subjects with hands-on learning. These experiences highlight the essential skills needed in the workplace and give students the opportunity to learn about different industries and businesses and explore potential career paths in high-demand sectors.
Award may be used for many things, including facility upgrades, the purchase of industry-grade equipment, acquiring additional space, travel needs for exploration, and costs associated with planning with partners and integrating curriculum into existing courses. Below are examples of past awards throughout the state.
Recent award - Elementary
Starmont Elementary
Created an opportunity for K-8 students to participate in hands-on learning experiences in the career cluster areas related to STEAM in their makerspace. Students experience 21st Century processes such as design thinking, combining problem-solving, technology, design thinking and construction. Career lessons integrate in social studies and science in agriculture by partnering with the outreach arm of the Iowa Farm Bureau, Ag in the Classroom.
Recent award - Middle School or Junior High
Sioux Center Middle School
Expanding the impact to include grades 6-8 by utilizing a Makerspace lab. This award will fortify and expand a Career Explorations class for ninth and tenth grade students. Students will explore their gifts, talents, and career interests, and complete real-world projects and simulations that allow them to experience their chosen career.
Recent awards - High School
Turkey Valley Jr./Sr. High School
The Turkey Valley Ag Ed/FFA Department built a greenhouse to support K-12 students. A student-run center, teaching sustainability, horticulture, and marketing. Students created a farmer's market where they advertise and create their own market for the products which they produce.
Central High School
Clayton County BEST expanded their industrial technology area to offer an Advanced Manufacturing component to the program. Students have the opportunity to operate a small manufacturing business that can meet a community need while building both business and manufacturing skills.
For more information on the STEM BEST Program, please visit https://iowastem.org/STEMBEST.
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