Are you a public or private school K through 12 teacher, youth organization leader, informal education professional or other organization delivering STEM education programming? Bring one or more of 12 specially selected STEM Scale-Up Programs to your local school, club, informal learning center and/or other educational entity to make a direct impact on children by allowing hands-on experiences with math, science, technology and engineering right in their community.

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Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov.  Kim Reynolds and UNI President Ben Allen today announced the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Scale-Up applications of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council are ready and available for educators, both formal and informal, to apply to bring one or more of these programs operating into a club or classroom this fall.

"This is a great opportunity to bring STEM to areas of the state that may not have had the ability to participate in STEM programming before due to lack of money or lack of staff," said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. "All Iowa youth should have access to programs like these - FIRST LEGO League, KidWind and others on this list - to spark passion for math and science as well as open their eyes to jobs and career choices in STEM they might not have thought of otherwise."

The 12 selected STEM Scale-Up Programs will be distributed through Iowa's STEM Regional Hubs. Scale-Ups were selected based on their demonstrated evidence of improving achievement and inspiring interest among pre-K through 12 learners as well as ease to replicate programming anywhere in the state. Educators will work with STEM regional managers to take these programs to their communities. [The programs are listed at the end of this release]

The application deadline is September 14, 2012. Those educators selected to receive programming will be notified by October 1, 2012 and can implement the programming immediately this fall.

The Iowa STEM Network is centered on six STEM regional network hubs, lead by a regional manager. The regional managers are charged with disseminating STEM programming, increasing STEM awareness and building education, business and community partnerships. The creation of the STEM Network and the ability to offer a menu of STEM programs to educators that would immediately impact children across the state are the first major actions of the one-year-old Governor's STEM Advisory Council, a public-private partnership whose overarching goal is to create greater student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and a stronger STEM workforce.

"A STEM-ready workforce and STEM-savvy citizenry has been and can, again, be Iowa's brand on the competitive national and international economic landscape," said Jeff Weld, executive director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council. "We are fortunate to have six unrivaled partners in our STEM Hubs, each ready to roll out the best our state has to offer for the benefit of learners across their region. Iowa is in a very strong place regarding STEM education."

The Scale Up Programs application, a map of Iowa's six STEM Regions, contact information for the STEM Regional Managers and a list of the 12 Scale Ups can be found at  www.IowaSTEM.gov.

For more information about the Governor's STEM Advisory Council go to www.IowaSTEM.gov

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ABOUT IMSEP: The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is the operations arm of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, dedicated to building a strong STEM education foundation for all Iowans. For more information about IMSEP or the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, go to www.IowaSTEM.gov.

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1.      A World in Motion (AWIM) - AWIM provides mathematics, science and technology curriculum and professional development to increase student performance, engagement and interest K-12 school students.  Website: http://www.awim.org/

2.      Fabulous Resources in Energy Education (FREE) - FREE allows anyone willing to educate about energy to borrow materials to teach about energy efficiency, energy basics, solar and wind energy, and hydrogen fuel cells.  Website: http://www.uni.edu/free-ceee/

3.      FIRST LEGO League -  LEGO robotics competition for children creates an environment where young people discover the fun in STEM while building self-confidence, know-how and valuable employment and life skills.  Website: http://www.isek.iastate.edu/fll/

4.      FIRST Tech Challenge - FTC is a challenging exploration of real?world problems using robotics and STEM concepts (i.e. computer programming, center of gravity, trigonometry, algorithms, calculus).  Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowa/

5.      HyperStream - Technology Hub for Iowa's Students - HyperStream is a program that partners education and business, combines acareer awareness initiative with hands-on, real-world tech projects that students choose and develop. HyperStream is very focused on the project-based learning approach that education is prominently promoting moving forward.  Website: http://hyperstream.org/

6.      iExploreSTEM - iExploreSTEM is a series of coordinated free, hands-on, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) festivals that have the look and feel of a street fair or county fair planned to be held annually throughout the State. With the assistance of the iExploreSTEM team, communities will build local partnerships representing a diversity of stakeholders to produce a local STEM festival scaled to the resources of the community.  Website: http://www.iexplorestem.org/

7.      KidWind - The KidWind Challenge program in Iowa works with educators using WindWise Education curriculum in PD workshops, engages students in design and creates STEM interest and understanding at challenges or events, and connects teachers and students to careers related to wind power at the events.  Website: http://learn.kidwind.org/

8.      Project HOPE (Healthcare, Occupations, Preparation and Exploration) - Project HOPE (Healthcare, Occupations, Preparation, and Exploration) is a STEM-based curricular intervention that integrates academic and vocational opportunities designed to connect minority and low socioeconomic middle school students to the health science professionals early in their education including a curriculum designed for 8th grade science, career or social studies classes, teacher/counselor training, and parent workshops.  Website: No website

9.      The CASE for Agriculture Education in Iowa - CASE (Curriculum for Agriscience Education) hopes to increase STEM awareness and rigor and relevance of agriculture, food and natural resource subject matter through teacher professional development, student exposure to technology and a curriculum padded with 21st century skills, critical thinking and practice opportunities.
Website: http://www.case4learning.org/

10.    State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa - The SSTFI serves as a place where student researchers meet with professional researchers and communicate their findings from their own research or engineering projects and communicate their understanding of the research process.  Website: http://www.sciencefairofiowa.org/

11.    Partnership for Engineering and Educational Resources for Schools (PEERS) - PEERS, a business-guided program divided into four implementation levels for students (exposure, experience, mentoring, and potential employment), is geared to increase awareness of STEM careers and to increase the number of engineering and technology majors and professionals in the state.
Website: http://www.peersprogram.com/

12.    Corridor STEM Initiative (CSI) - CSI intends to increase the number of Iowa students that enter and succeed in the Iowa workforce by engaging students in exciting, inquiry-based, hands-on STEM programs that extend the classroom learning experiences.
Website: http://www.corridorstem.org/

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DES MOINES, IA (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that 95% of the children that participated in College Savings Iowa's annual State Fair survey show getting a college education is a necessary step to achieving their dreams and career aspirations. "Iowa children are already thinking about their futures," stated Fitzgerald. "This survey demonstrates how important it is for families to start planning and saving early to help make college a reality for their children."

"Every year we ask children visiting the fair what they want to be when they grow up and if they will need to go to college to achieve these goals," Fitzgerald said. "Needless to say, we are always amazed by the responses they offer." Fifteen percent are planning on becoming veterinarians, with another 13% hoping to become teachers. Doctor came in third this year with 7% of the responses, and police officer ranked fourth with 5%. "According to one child, it will cost him $5 to go to college to become Batman."

"Families that save and invest for their children's college education will be better prepared to meet the challenge of paying for it when the time arrives, and College Savings Iowa is here to help," added Fitzgerald. Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. This year Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,975 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income.* Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Governor Meets with Business Leaders to Discuss Impact of Pension Inaction on Universities, Community Colleges and MAP Grants

CHICAGO - August 13, 2012. In a meeting today with the Executives' Club of Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn shared new data showing that higher education in Illinois is likely to receive more significant funding reductions in the coming years if comprehensive pension reform is not enacted. According to an analysis conducted by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), approximately 26,000 students may not have the needed resources to go to college in five years due to projected reductions to MAP grant funding.

The governor discussed the need for pension reform today with business leaders and CEOs who often stress their need for a stable business climate and a strong, well-trained workforce. Governor Quinn is urging legislators to restore fiscal stability to Illinois and pass comprehensive pension reform during special session on August 17.

"A strong higher education system drives economic development and is essential to moving Illinois forward," Governor Quinn said. "We must rise to the occasion, act responsibly and get the job done on pension reform for the people of Illinois."

If comprehensive pension reform is not enacted, funding for state universities, community colleges and college scholarships for needy students with merit could be reduced by more than $280 million by FY 2018. Higher education has seen steady reductions in recent years as fast-rising pension costs continue to squeeze out critical services.

Pension reform that includes a gradual normal cost realignment will alleviate funding pressure for state universities and community colleges, who have also written in support of a phased-in cost realignment. According to the data, universities and community colleges will face reductions that greatly exceed any normal cost expenses they would gradually assume under the governor's pension reform plan.

For example, under the governor's plan, state universities and community colleges are projected to assume $21.3 million in new normal pension costs in FY 2014. If comprehensive pension reform with a normal cost realignment is not enacted, the analysis shows that state universities and community colleges could see more than $60 million in reductions in FY 2014.

Currently, Illinois' pension system faces $83 billion in unfunded liability - the worst in the nation. This deficit is expected to grow to more than $92 billion by the end of FY 2013 unless major reforms are enacted. Governor Quinn has proposed a comprehensive pension reform plan that will eliminate the unfunded liability over the next 30 years.

State universities and community colleges help shape the future of Illinois by fostering innovation and economic growth. Illinois' higher education institutions provide students with more opportunities and prepare them for the workforce, to ensure that businesses have access to strong workforce talent.

The analysis is attached. For more information on the need for pension reform and to contact your legislator, please visit SaveOurState.Illinois.gov.