The Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council has invested in the Charles City Community School District to help grow its STEM BEST (

Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) and in Lincoln Intermediate, Mason City to grow its STEM RLE (Redesigned Learning Environment) model in Iowa.

Charles City CSD and Lincoln Intermediate are two of 12 programs across the state to receive the $25,000 cost-matched grant to grow either a STEM BEST or STEM RLE model that transforms typical K-12 classroom environments and methods to unite business and education and develop clear pathways from STEM education to STEM careers in the state.

Lincoln Intermediate will be using its funds to redesign its library "Information Center" and allow students to collaborate, solve real-world problems and experience local STEM careers. This new learning environment will provide multi areas which allow students to choose and design products to best fit their learning style.

Charles City is using a regional approach to STEM BEST by incorporating students from Charles City, Osage, New Hampton and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock school districts with numerous local business partners in a a half-day professional-based learning model. Such a model will allow the students to work either at school or at a partnering business.

Congratulations again to these two awardees, the North Central STEM region is looking forward to updates as you forge ahead with your journey implementing STEM BEST and STEM RLE!

Code Iowa Launches a Second Year in Support of the "Hour of Code"

Last year, Sawyer Elementary School in Ames received the North Central STEM Region's technology award for participating in Code Iowa

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and Code.org have joined forces to localize the "Hour of Code," an international effort to have every student in the world try one of hour computer coding during Computer Science Education Week in December.

Last year with your help, 643,038 students in Iowa completed the challenge, and Sawyer Elementary School in Ames received a $4,000 technology award from the STEM Council-one of six awards given in each of the STEM regions.

Thanks to a $20,000 gift from Google, the STEM Council has launched Code Iowa for a second year. Code.org will select one participating school in the state for a $10,000 technology award, and the STEM Council will select five more schools to receive $4,000 technology awards-one in each STEM region that did not receive the Code.org award.

Every school that signs up to participate by November 16 will become a Certified Code Iowa Partner. Sixty teachers from those schools will be eligible to attend free, K-5 Code Studio workshops in the spring. To learn more or to apply for the awards, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/CodeIowa.

Know an Outstanding Science, Technology, Engineering or Math Teacher?

Nominate Them for a $3,000 Award!

Your nomination could bring them $1,500 for their classroom in addition to $1,500 for them to use how ever they wish!

Administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and other STEM advocates are invited to nominate an inspirational science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher for the 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries and the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.

Formally known as The STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching, this award is dedicated to honoring one teacher from each of the six STEM regions for their contribution and dedication to STEM education in Iowa. Each winner will receive $1,500, as well as another $1,500 to be used in their classroom.

This award is dedicated to honoring teachers who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the state by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom and into the future.

Eligible nominees include licensed, full-time, K-12 Iowa STEM teachers in public or non-public schools. Nominations for previous 2015 award recipients and self-nominations will not be accepted.

Click here to learn more.

Shelly Vanyo, Boone High School Science teacher (center), was the North Central winner last year.
Submit your nominations today!

Ten80 Racing at Boone High School

Racing is STEM!

Students at Boone High School had the chance to pitch their team ideas to the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council Operations Team and Regional Managers. Shelly Vanyo, Science teacher, leads this STEM class as they create a racing team and prepare for a competition. They need to brand their team, market the team, design car modifications based upon data in a similar way that a professional motorsports team does.

Click for more information about the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge

Shelly's twitter feed is @VanyoScience

Recently this article was published in the Boone News Republican.