CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — A statewide program of the Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council will offer nine lessons, learning modules, kits and curriculum to be “scaled-up” throughout the state by PreK-12 educators in schools, libraries, daycares, museums, afterschool clubs, homeschools and other learning centers this upcoming academic year.
The STEM Council’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to approve the 2017-18 STEM Scale-Up Program menu based on evidence of each program’s effect on student interest and ability in STEM; impact across race, ethnicity and gender diversity; scalability across Iowa; coverage across grade levels and subject areas; and cost-effectiveness among other criteria. Topics range from preschool physics to high school agricultural science and from technology-integrated mathematics to developing “making” spaces.
For the third year in a row, Iowa’s STEM Council has partnered with the national organization Change the Equation to select programs not only for scaling in Iowa, but also for listing on their STEMworks Database where their “rigorous Design Principles” assure consistent appeal to diverse youth, success in improving academic performance, evidence of integrating STEM concepts, fostering business-education-community partnerships and tracking records of sustainability.
“These selected programs are some of the top STEM opportunities available, and we make sure through the STEM Scale-Up Program that as many children in Iowa as possible have access to them,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, STEM Council co-chair. “With the support and interest of Iowa’s PreK-12 educators, both in and out of school, we hope these nine programs will reach thousands of young Iowans and light a passion in their hearts and minds for the STEM careers that await them in our state.”
Results from the 2015-2016 Iowa STEM Evaluation Report show all grade levels of students who participated in the STEM Scale-Up Program scored higher in National Percentile Rank on the Iowa Assessments in mathematics, science and reading compared to students who did not participate. They also indicated greater interest in STEM classes and college study in STEM.
“During the past five years, the STEM Scale-Up Program has proven successful in increasing student interest in STEM careers. Students are showing a growing interest in not only continuing their education into STEM fields, but also in staying in Iowa,” said Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson, STEM Council co-chair. “This program is one of several ways to fulfill STEM workforce demand needed across all Iowa business sectors.”
Beginning today, the STEM Council invites all PreK-12 educators in school or out of school and public or private to apply for these STEM learning programs to be implemented during the 2017-18 academic year at IowaSTEM.gov/2017-18-Scale-Up. That application window will close on Friday, March 3, 2017, and awardees will be announced at the beginning of April.
— Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
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