CEDAR FALLS, IOWA (January 31, 2023) — The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council announced 37 Iowa school districts will join or in some cases expand the STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (High Demand) Program to provide students with real workplace experiences. The program helps introduce students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, while also gaining career-ready skills. Including the latest honorees, 155 partnerships have been created or expanded since STEM BEST launched in 2014.
The STEM BEST + HD Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace. The Council’s investment of professional and financial support can be used for curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration, and preparing work-based learning environments.
“The STEM Council is driven to connect schools and workplaces for the benefit of both youth and employers, and the STEM BEST + HD Program is a signature vehicle for that goal,” said Jeff Weld, Executive Director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “This latest expansion approaches a tipping point where career-linked learning is becoming the norm rather than the exception in preparing students for future Iowa careers.”
The STEM Council Executive Committee reviewed and approved 37 new or expanded partnerships supported by guidance, collaboration and financial investment of up to $40,000 each.
The 2023 STEM BEST + HD Program awardees are:
- Allamakee Community School District
- Anamosa Community School District
- Ankeny Community School District
- Boyden-Hull Community School District
- CAL Community School District
- Carroll Community School District
- Cedar Rapids Community School District
- Central DeWitt Community School District
- Central Lee Community School District
- Chariton Community School District
- College Community School District
- Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District
- Creston Community School District
- Davenport Community School District
- Dubuque Community School District
- Earlham Community School District
- East Mills Community School District
- East Union Community School District
- Fort Dodge Community School District
- Griswold Community School District
- Harlan Community School District
- Holy Family System (Dubuque)
- MMCRU Community School District
- MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District
- Muscatine Community School District
- New London Community School District
- Ogden Community School District
- Okoboji Community School District
- Orient-Macksburg Community School District
- Osage Community School District
- Pella Community School District
- Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District
- Sioux Center Christian School
- Sioux Central Community School District
- Van Buren Community School District
- Waterloo Community School District
- Woodbine Community School District
To be considered for a STEM BEST + HD Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, includes valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, aligns with STEM goals, addresses sustainability of the model program, and evaluates the program’s effectiveness.
For more information on the STEM BEST + HD Program, please visit iowastem.org/STEMBEST.
About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council:
Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our state’s historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 62-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org.
