STEM Council coordinates more than 70 trainings to impact more than 100,000 Iowa students this year

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - This summer, thousands of Iowa educators are engaged in in-depth STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Scale-Up trainings aimed to equip them for implementing new STEM programs come fall. Through the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, nearly 3,000 Pre-K through 12 educators, both in and out of the classroom, will bring STEM learning to more than 100,000 students across Iowa.

This year, the STEM Council offered 14 STEM Scale-Up programs that include building robots and wind turbines to virtual reality and STEM career awareness. All programs demonstrate an appeal to diverse youth, show success in improving academic performance, provide evidence of integrating STEM concepts, promote the development of school-business-community partnerships and attain sustainability beyond STEM Council financial support.

Each program requires professional development that focuses on the best practices for incorporating the programs into current STEM curriculum. With the help and coordination of the six regional STEM managers, a total of 73 trainings will happen in each region across the state.

Results from the 2013-2014 Iowa STEM evaluation report show more than 90 percent of students who participated in a STEM Scale-Up program reported higher interest in at least one STEM subject or career. Nearly 75 percent of participating teachers report greater skill and confidence in teaching STEM and continue their program after the STEM Council's financial support ends.

STEM Scale-Up training will continue into October. For a full list of upcoming trainings, please visit http://iowastem.gov/sites/default/files/2015-16%20PD%20Plan%20Coordination.pdf.

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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 that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Vermeer Corp. CEO and Chair of the Board Mary Andringa. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (07/16/2015)(readMedia)-- In today's competitive job market, college students recognize the value of high-impact learning experiences and Augustana has helped them pursue these experiences through summer internships.

More than 150 Augustana College students are completing summer internships across the globe including:

Timothy Acri, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in biochemistry. Acri has an internship with UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Rock Island, IL.

Taylor Anderson, a senior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in graphic design. Anderson has an internship with BPS Print Shop in Oshkosh, WI.

Grace Brasel, a senior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in biology. Brasel has an internship with Lifetime Eyehealth Associates in Davenport, IA.

Rowan Crow, a senior from Coal Valley, IL (61240) majoring in teaching history. Crow has an internship with Lincoln Park Genesius Guild in Rock Island, IL.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez, a junior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in anthropology and political science. Gomez-Ramirez has an internship with Palomares QC in Moline, IL.

Andrea Hult, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in accounting and business administration - management. Hult has an internship with QC Symphony Orchestra in Davenport, IA.

Marisa Lara, a senior from Silvis, IL (61282) majoring in graphic design and engineering. Lara has an internship with Edge in Rock Island, IL.

Makenzie Logan, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in psychology and communication sciences & disorders. Logan has an internship with Augustana Center for Speech, Language and Hearing in Rock Island, IL.

Carolyn Maynard, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in communication studies. Maynard has an internship with QC Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL.

Irene Mekus, a junior from East Moline, IL (61244) majoring in business administration and public health. Mekus has an internship with Rock Island County Health Department in Rock Island, IL.

Chelsea Mentado, a junior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in graphic design. Mentado has an internship with GroupO in Milan, IL.

Garrett Miner, a senior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in graphic design and business administration - management information systems. Miner has an internship with QC Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL.

Dorothy Mutum, a senior from Milan, IL (61264) majoring in psychology. Mutum has an internship with Moline City Hall in Moline, IL.

Long Nguyen, a senior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in applied mathematics and economics. Nguyen has an internship with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.

Omar Rizvi, a senior from Bettendorf, IA (52722) majoring in pre-medicine, biology and religion. Rizvi has an internship with UnityPoint Health - Trinity in Moline, IL.

Tori Shock, a sophomore from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in pre-medicine. Shock has an internship with Black Hawk College in Moline, IL.

Grant Slater, a junior from Coal Valley, IL (61240) majoring in communication studies. Slater has an internship with McLaughlin Motors in Moline, IL.

David Soliz, a senior from Silvis, IL (61282) majoring in geography. Soliz has an internship with City of Moline Water Division in Moline, IL.

Natalie Trujillo, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in psychology. Trujillo has an internship with Child Abuse Council in Moline, IL.

Emmalynn Tully, a junior from Bettendorf, IA (52722) majoring in music education - voice. Tully has an internship with Bettendorf Family Museum in Bettendorf, IA.

Matthew Tuttle-Timm, a junior from Moline, IL (61265) majoring in physics. Tuttle-Timm has an internship with Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.

Haylee Walker, a junior from Reynolds, IL (61279) majoring in communication studies. Walker has an internship with GiGi's Playhouse in Moline, IL.

Erik Whitcomb, a junior from Rock Island, IL (61201) majoring in psychology. Whitcomb has an internship with Moline City Hall in Moline, IL.

At Augustana, students choosing to complete an internship can receive financial support from the college thanks to a program launched in 2009 called Augie Choice. Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts, Augie Choice grants students in their junior year or beyond the opportunity to receive a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of study abroad, an internship or research project. Augie Choice funding is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to experiential learning as a way of preparing students to stand out among their peers.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 158 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

New Centers to assist small farmers, develop a diverse workforce, and increase global food security

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making a $1 million initial investment to support three Centers of Excellence with the Council of 1890 Colleges, building and strengthening USDA's historic partnership with 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities. Vilsack made the announcement during remarks at the Convocation commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Second Morrill Act becoming law, creating the 1890 Land-Grant Universities.

"When Congress passed the act in 1890 creating additional Land-Grant Universities, they were creating access to economic mobility through educational opportunity for all. These schools have been instrumental in growing our nation into a multicultural economic power," said Vilsack. "The three new Centers of Excellence will build on this legacy of cooperation and success to help sustain our nation for the next 125 years and beyond."

These three new centers will serve as a consortium to increase coordination and collaboration between USDA and the 1890s schools. Each center will focus on a specific identified need:

• Creating an integrated center to benefit Small Farms, Ranches and Forest Landowners in high poverty areas;
• Establishing a virtual center to support the science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM) pipeline of students and address the growing need for talented career candidates to meet future workforce needs; and
• Satisfying the nation's need in the areas of international engagement and global food security to increase international cooperation, trade and development.

Secretary Vilsack said USDA would provide additional related funding through existing programs and agreements, and that the initial funding will help the 1890s schools improve their access to USDA programs and attract additional outside investment.

Over the past six years, USDA has partnered with 1890s schools in a number of ways to make a positive impact in the lives of underserved farmers, youth and communities. Some recent actions include :

• Providing more than $132 million in funding to 1890s schools through 350 different awards across the entire department last year;
• Continuing the 1890s Scholars program, currently assisting 55 Scholars in agencies throughout USDA with scholarships worth approximately $35,000 each, and permanently employing more than 600 Land-Grant University graduates through the program.

WAVERLY, IA (07/15/2015)(readMedia)-- Wartburg College has recognized 454 students who were named to the 2015 Winter/May Term Dean's List.

Those honored include :

Kaitlynn Eaton of Davenport

Kerri Golinghorst of Dixon

Brooke Moeller of New Liberty

Breanna Walczyk of Bettendorf

Lindsay Heinen of Eldridge

Paris White of Muscatine

Anthony Skinner of Davenport

Cody Birely of Davenport

Laura Klever of Long Grove

Andrea Weiss of DeWitt

Tasha Becker of DeWitt

Emma Evans-Peck of Geneseo

Austin Lechtenberg of DeWitt

Mallory Weaver of Bettendorf

Brooke Chapman of DeWitt

Emily Kremer of DeWitt

Allison Coe of Dixon

Elizabeth Mallon of Davenport

Karl Jaeschke of Bettendorf

The list honors students who earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above in at least five course credits during the two terms. Four of the five course credits must be graded with a traditional letter grade.

Wartburg students take four courses during Winter Term, which runs from January to April, and one course during the one-month May Term. May Term courses often involve travel and study abroad.

Wartburg, a four-year liberal arts college internationally recognized for community engagement, enrolls 1,661 students. Wartburg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and named after the castle in Germany where Martin Luther took refuge disguised as a knight during the stormy days of the Reformation while translating the Bible from Greek into German.