STEM BEST application window closing soon

Time is running out to apply for this year's STEM BEST Program!

The STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program supports K-12 teachers and industry professionals working side by side to craft curriculum and projects that prepare students for exciting STEM careers local to their community.

Three more support sessions are being provided for those interested in applying or learning about STEM BEST. These will have a primary focus of coaching and covering all the aspects within the application process as a resource for those applying.

• October 22nd - Click here to register
• October 29th - Click here to register
• October 30th - Click here to register

Follow the link below to learn more about STEM BEST, including important dates and deadlines.

Kids Go STEM! at Iowa Health Care

Registration is now open for the 2025 Kids Go STEM! This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 9:00-11:45 a.m., at the Medical Education and Research Facility at the University of Iowa.

Kids Go STEM is a free educational program targeting students in grades 6-8. During the program, students will engage with medical and health sciences students and professionals through hands-on learning, medical simulations, experiments, and more as they explore STEM careers and health care.

Registered students must be accompanied by an adult. While students are participating in STEM programming, adults will be offered discussions and resource sessions with University of Iowa experts.

FIRST Robotics opportunities abound!

There are several opportunities to implement FIRST Robotics at your school or organization and volunteer your time at FIRST events happening across Iowa.

FIRST® LEGO League (Grades PK–8)

• Starting a team? Rookie and veteran grants are offered.
• Find Iowa events and game details. We’ll see you there!
• Questions? Contact firstlegoleague@iastate.edu.

FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7–12)

• Hands-on programming, design, and engineering in a team setting.
• New-team grant opportunities available.
• Contact Rebecca Whitaker at rwhitaker@firstpartners.org to learn more.

FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9–12)

• 30+ Iowa teams competing regionally and internationally in elite competitive robotics.
• Opens doors to STEM education pathways, careers, and premier workforce development.
• To add FRC to your high school, 4H, or STEM nonprofit offerings, email jmargrett@firstinspires.org.

Coaches, Mentors, Volunteers—the heart of FIRST

• Form a team, support a team, help at a competition.
• #MoreThanRobots—if you're an expert in something, you're needed on a team.
• Share your expertise, inspire the next generation, and join the fun.
• Reach out to the contacts above for opportunities.

STEM Spotlight: Lee County Conservation

Pictured: Students wading in the Mississippi River as part of the mussels field trip.

This month, we turn our STEM spotlight on Lee County Conservation. Lee County Conservation offers a variety of environmental-education opportunities for K-12 students throughout the school year and summer, building a deeper connection to the outdoors and the STEM opportunities the natural world presents.

At Lee County Conservation, naturalists lead hundreds of STEM-focused programs each year for local youth­—ranging from classroom visits and summer camps to immersive field trips at various parks. One highlight is their mussels field trip with area seventh graders, where students put on waders and step into the Mississippi River to collect and identify mussels, test water quality, and even canoe. These hands-on experiences spark curiosity and help students see the real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math in their own backyard.

“We believe STEM outreach is vital because it not only builds a deeper connection to our natural resources, but it also inspires the next generation of problem-solvers, conservationists, and community leaders,” says Heather Huebner, director of Lee County Conservation.

In addition to the work Lee County Conservation does to engage local youth in STEM learning, they also play a role in continuing teacher education by serving as a host site for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.

“Our work is strengthened by community partners like Climax Molybdenum, who support our efforts through funding and volunteers, and by hosting a summer teacher Extern who helps expand and improve our programming,” says Huebner.

Those interested in Lee County Conservation programming and opportunities can learn more on the organization's Facebook page and website.

The Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund Grant is now open!

The CSPDIF Grant is open to all public districts and accredited non-public schools. There are two programs within the CSPDIF Grant: the Endorsement program and the Professional Development program. Both programs function on a reimbursement basis.

The Endorsement program is set up to help teachers obtain their Computer Science Endorsement by reimbursing the tuition and associated costs incurred through the programming. The deadline for this program is May 31, 2026, and it has a rolling approval window. The Endorsement program functions on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are allocated. 

The Professional Development program was created to provide districts with the funds needed to implement quality computer science professional learning. The deadline for the Professional Development program is November 14, 2025. Award notifications from this competitive grant will go out in mid-December. 

You can find more information about both programs in the CSPDIF Grant section on the department website. 

Contact Michelle Meier michelle.meier@iowa.gov with questions.

News to share? Events to promote? Amazing STEM stories you think we should spotlight?

About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a bipartisan collaboration of legislators, educators, businesses, students, and families to increase STEM awareness and opportunities in Iowa. Visit our website by clicking the icon below to learn more about STEM programs, events, and resources in Southeast Iowa.