(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen today announced a series of community conversations featuring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and economic development that will take place across the state in September and October.
The community conversations are designed seek feedback from Iowans about what priorities the Governor's STEM Advisory Council should focus on as the STEM initiative continues to build across Iowa.
"We are determined to provide Iowa's young people with engaging STEM education opportunities, no matter where they live," said Reynolds, co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. "That will help assure more students are well equipped to be knowledgeable citizens and to someday begin college or career training prepared for success. It also will help assure a stronger STEM employee pipeline for Iowa's businesses and industries."
All parents, grandparents, educators, business and civic leaders, legislators and other Iowans are invited to attend the hour-long, town hall style meetings.
"We are in the process of rolling out STEM programs through our scale-up initiative and these community conversations are a way to foster STEM relationships between local businesses, the regional STEM networks and area schools," said Allen, co-chair of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
The Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership whose overarching goal is creating greater student achievement in STEM subjects and a stronger STEM workforce.
"STEM jobs are projected to be among the fastest growing and best paying. Iowa's economy also will benefit if more young people are ready for STEM jobs. Employers routinely tell us they have difficulty filling STEM jobs that pay well because applicants lack the right skill set," said Branstad.
The following STEM Community Conversation events are open to the public:
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012
9:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Tama County STEM Community Conversation
Reinig Center
1007 Prospect Dr.
Toledo, IA
11:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Black Hawk County STEM Community Conversation
University of Northern Iowa - Center for Energy and Environmental Education - Main Lobby
1227 W 27th St.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012
9 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Greene County STEM Community Conversation
Greene County Community Center
204 W Harrison St.
Jefferson, IA
10:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Boone County STEM Community Conversation
DMACC Boone Campus - Auditorium
1125 Hancock Dr.
Boone, IA
12:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds hold Marshall County STEM Community Conversation
Emerson Innovation Center, Fisher Technology
301 S 1st Ave.
Marshalltown, IA
Monday, Sept. 17, 2012
10 a.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Polk County STEM Community Conversation
Drake Legal Clinic Courtroom
2400 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA
1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Warren County STEM Community Conversation
Simpson College - McNeil Hall - Pioneer Conference Room
701 North C St.
Indianola, IA
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Union County STEM Community Conversation
Southwestern Community College - Instructional Center Room 180
1501 W Townline St.
Creston, IA
4 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds and President Allen hold Taylor County STEM Community Conversation
Bedford High School - Auditorium
906 Penn St.
Bedford, IA
Friday, Oct. 5, 2012
9 a.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Emmet County STEM Community Conversation
Iowa Lakes Community College - Wind Energy Facility
2021 7th Ave. S
Estherville, IA
2 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Webster County STEM Community Conversation
Iowa Central Community College - Bioscience and Health Services Auditorium (BHS105)
330 Ave. M
Fort Dodge, IA
Monday, Oct. 8, 2012
12:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Muscatine County STEM Community Conversation
Muscatine Community Schools Administrative Center - Conference Room
2900 Mulberry Ave.
Muscatine, IA
3:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Des Moines County STEM Community Conversation
Greater Burlington Partnership - Winegard Board Room
610 N 4th St., Suite 200
Burlington, IA
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012
2 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds holds Linn County STEM Community Conversation
The Hotel at Kirkwood Community College - Ballroom
7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA
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