Southwest Iowa STEM Regional Newsletter: October 2024

Nominate a Teacher You Know for the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program

Nominations for the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program are open through November 15. We invite administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and community members to nominate an inspirational science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher for the prestigious 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program is dedicated to honoring the passionate teachers who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the state. It recognizes one full-time, licensed PreK-12 Iowa STEM teacher from each of the state’s six STEM regions. The six selected recipients will each receive a monetary gift for their classroom and a second for personal use.

“We are thankful to have such outstanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers in Iowa and are delighted to honor them for the 11th year of the Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program,” said Justin Lewis, bureau chief for Iowa STEM. “We want to hear about the inspiring teacher crafting engaging learning experiences, the instructor helping open doors to in-demand STEM career paths in Iowa or the educator going the extra mile for their students and community. These educators provide excellent curriculum, encourage lifelong learning and inspire a passion for STEM both in the classroom and into the future. We look forward to learning about these exceptional STEM educators through your nominations.”

Nomination forms and additional information can be found at educate.iowa.gov/STEM/TeacherAward. 

Following nomination, eligible educators will be invited by a panel of reviewers to fill out an application for evaluation. The award recipients will be announced in early 2025 and honored at STEM Day at the Capitol on February 12, 2025.

Questions about the nominating process for the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program can be directed to info@iowaSTEM.org.

STEM BEST Program Application Opens October 7th

The goal of the STEM BEST program is to support the launch of new or expanded STEM BEST K-12 models specifically focused on creating work-based learning opportunities that allow students to develop future-focused, high-demand skills through real world experiences. These future-focused skills align with the Iowa Academic Standards Universal Constructs and create opportunities for students to become leaders and innovators of a future-focused Iowa. 

The STEM BEST funding opportunity offers:

• award amounts up to $40,000.
• a 17-month timeframe to spend funds (February 2024 to June 2025).
• a cost-share match of 2:1 is required ($40,000 state funds to $20,000 awardee match).

STEM BEST Help Desk Hours with Tanya Hunt

Clarinda Community Schools Scale-Up Spot Light!

Mrs. Hilsbeck’s 4th-grade class at Clarinda Community Schools seems fully immersed in the Turing Tumble experience. This hands-on STEM activity, part of the Scale-Up Grant program, is an incredible way for students to dive into the mechanics of computing. By constructing marble-powered computers, students tackle logic puzzles in a way that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, all without screens!

It's fantastic to see educators like Mrs. Pullen eagerly seeking out and applying for these enriching STEM opportunities. The Turing Tumble not only brings the fundamentals of computer science to life but also engages students in a tactile, fun, and memorable way.

FIRST Robotics Events Happening All Across Iowa

Attend or Volunteer

Join the FIRST® - Iowa Just ONE™ Campaign! It only takes one hour of mentoring, one act of volunteering, or one person to make a big difference. Be the ONE who makes an impact - volunteer (bring a friend) and recruit Just ONE™!

If you’re interested in volunteering for one or several of the FIRST events happening across Iowa, many volunteer roles do not require training, and training is available for those that do. To sign up for one or several of the events, kindly log into the FIRST Dashboard (firstinspires.org), click on “Volunteer Registration,” then “Event Volunteering.” Using the filters on the left, select your preferred FIRST program (FLLC, FTC, or FRC), make sure Iowa is selected, change the date range to the current date to April 2024, and click on “Apply Filter.” You should see each event by date and location. When you see an event that interests you, click on it to learn more and sign up to volunteer.

Elementary & Middle School Robotics Competitions 

This year’s FIRST LEGO League Challenge theme is SUBMERGED℠, and FLLC competitions will be happening soon. To find out more, visit www.engineering.iastate.edu/outreach or email (firstlegoleague@iastate.edu). 

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) Fluids Lab Opportunity

The University of Iowa's IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering facility invites FLL-Challenge teams to visit their Fluids Lab on November 1, 18, or 21 from 3:30 - 5:00 PM:

• Location: 103 S. Capitol Street, Iowa City
• Event capacity: 20-30 attendees
• Parking: Teams will be responsible for their own parking during this visit
• Interested groups MUST sign up via this form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3WSA5U4NFSEsJO6

Teams unable to attend the in-person session may join Professor Harwood's virtual presentation on November 14 from 3:15 - 4:00 PM by registering at this link: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3WSA5U4NFSEsJO6.

Middle & High School Robotics Competitions 

For FIRST Tech Challenge, this year’s game is INTO THE DEEP℠, where teams will dive their robots into the depths of the ocean to explore the unknown and reveal its wonders. To find out more, visit www.ftciowa.org or email Rebecca Whitaker (rwhitaker@firstpartners.org).

High School Robotics Competition

The Iowa FIRST Robotics Competition, the top level of high school competitive robotics, will host the 8th Iowa Regional from March 26-29, 2025. 54 teams will compete at the Mcleod Center and UNI-Dome at UNI. Mark your calendar and come see what FIRST Robotics Competition - REEFSCAPE℠ is all about. For more information, check out www.iafirst.org or email Jeff Margrett (jmargrett@firstinspires.org).