STEM is being used in Fort Dodge classrooms to teach students about science and technology.

 

Iowa Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge, and Iowa Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, visited St. Edmond Catholic School Monday with Jeff Herzberg from Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency and Lynne Campbell, STEM Hub Manager at Iowa State University, to see firsthand how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Scale Up Grant funds are being used.

 

"We are taking a tour of some STEM activities going on in the city," Jeff Herzberg, Prairie Lakes AEA chief administrator, said. "Sen. Beall and Rep. Miller and I were in a conversation recently about some good things going on in the schools. Lynne Campbell, our STEM Hub Manger from Iowa State University for this area made some connections and we're going to talk to some teachers about what they're doing with STEM."

 

Iowa students have benefited from STEM, Herzberg said, with programs including First Lego League, First Tech Challenge and Project Lead the Way. For Kid Wind, elementary school students design wind turbines.

 

According to Herzberg, interest in STEM has increased.  "It's allowed a lot of teachers and students to have an opportunity to see what STEN is," he said. "The goals of the governor's STEM Council, which I'm a member of, was to increase interest and understanding of and participation in STEM across the state and it's done just that.

 

John Howard, St. Edmond High School principal, said he was pleased by the visit.

 

"It's great to have AEA representatives, STEM Hub representatives, and state legislators come in our building to see how we utilize a STEM grant, to see our students are doing things with the STEM initiative and what our teachers are doing with the STEM initiative," he said.  More 

 

Boone science teacher Shelly Vanyo, her students, and principal Dr. Ben Johnson shared their STEM Scale-Up story with the Executive Council of the Governor's STEM Initiative.  According to Ms. Vanyo, the most significant impact has been the changes in the approach to STEM teaching and learning at Boone High School. 

 
The Governor's STEM Initiative transformed the culture so that the focus is innovation and creativity. With the support of leadership,  the Scale-Up programs were transformed into the foundation for new classes.


Lynne Campbell, NC STEM Hub manager couldn't agree more.  "Boone is a terrific example of how a systemic approach --school, business and community support--to STEM teaching and learning had a profound impact on students. 

Julie Graber is an Instructional Technology Consultant with Prairie Lakes AEA and is representing the AEAs on the North Central STEM Advisory Board.  Julie has had experience working with schools in reform efforts such as AIW (Authentic Intellectual Work) and Project Based Learning that are designed to increase the level of thinking and relevance in the work that students are asked to do. Julie believes that as more students connect to real world problems and use technology effectively, then student engagement increases and learning occurs. Julie has a passion for helping teachers and administrators connect disciplines and integrate technology like what employers do in their respective fields.  According to STEM Hub Manager, Lynne Campbell, "Julie's experience with the integration of technology and commitment to helping teachers design teaching so that learning occurs in a real world contexts adds another dimension to the North Central STEM Advisory Board.  We are certainly glad to have Julie join the North Central STEM Hub Advisory Board.