On the morning of Thursday, December 6th, CSPC released "A Letter on STEM Education for America's Parents" at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to an audience of STEM education professionals, community leaders, and policymakers. Read More

A close look at American unemployment statistics reveals a contradiction: Even with unemployment at historically high levels, large numbers of jobs are going unfilled. Many of these jobs have one thing in common-the need for an educational background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.Read More

Scale-Up 2012 is well underway in Northwest Iowa!  In our region alone, nearly two hundred educators received Scale-Up grants from the Governor's STEM Initiative (complete list HERE).  Teachers, coaches, and volunteers are embarking on an incredible STEM journey together with Iowa's students. Destinations include:  Problem Solving, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration.
Full speed ahead!

The upcoming retirement of University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen has necessitated the selection of a new Co-chair for the Iowa STEM Advisory Council.  The governor's office has announced that Mary Andringa will assume the role of Co-chair beginning in July 2013. Read More

Scale Up Professional Development in the Northwest is bringing together teachers for dynamic, interactive learning. KidWind Workshops in Sioux City and Estherville trained more than twenty educators in a STEM classroom model. Read More

In my eSTEM-ation, Iowa can be proud of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics educators who have courageously volunteered to be front-runners for the Governor's STEM Initiative. 

In early September, these amazing men and women decided to take a leap into STEM and apply for a grant which would allow them to learn, to grow, to stretch--and to work harder and longer than ever before. Educators selected from research-based, proven STEM programming (full list HERE), meeting the needs of Iowa's kids:  Pre-K to Grade 12. Teachers will use the grants to re-vitalize their curriculum, to implement new classroom activities and to create challenging STEM opportunities with local business partners.   

As the manager for Northwest Iowa STEM, I can only respond with a sincere, "Thank you for being incredible people." 

In my eSTEM-ation, STEM Educators Rock!

Kari Webb
NW Iowa STEM Regional Manager
Iowa Lakes Community College

FIRST LEGO® League
On December 15, the Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville campus will host 19 teams comprised of area youth in the FIRST® LEGO® League Regional Qualifying Competition. FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is an international program, created by FIRST® and LEGO®, designed to get children interested in and excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subject areas. 
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