Iowa expands student career programs with over $200K in grants

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and the Iowa Department of Education have announced the allocation of over $200,000 in grants to 12 schools as part of a new summer pilot program. The initiative, named STEM BEST Explore, is designed to extend work-based and career-connected learning opportunities for students during the summer months.

McKenzie Snow, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, stated that "learning doesn’t end when summer starts," emphasizing the importance of real-world STEM experiences in helping students apply their knowledge and gain clarity on future goals. The program aims to connect classroom learning with workplace applications, thus supporting Iowa's talent pipeline for STEM jobs.

The STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program focuses on providing career-connected learning experiences by collaborating with local workplaces and professionals. This collaboration helps identify workforce needs and prepares students for success in their communities.

Tanya Hunt, coordinator for the STEM BEST Program, noted that "students are excited for these expanded hands-on summer opportunities." She expressed satisfaction that the Department of Education could offer this pilot program to reach more students who might not access such opportunities during the regular school year.

The awarded schools include Earlham Community School District, Pella Community School District, Waterloo Community School District, Storm Lake Community School District, Osage Community School District, Holy Family Catholic Schools - Dubuque, Council Bluffs Community School District, Iowa City Community School District, Cedar Rapids Community School District – Metro High School and CityView High School, Harlan Community School District, and Marshalltown Community School District. Each school will receive up to $20,000 to enhance their summer programs.

These programs range from structured internships and IT certification training to cybersecurity conferences and agricultural education beyond state borders. Other initiatives include inquiry-based camps at zoos focusing on conservation careers and immersive engineering experiences.

Further details about the STEM BEST Program and its summer extension can be found on the Department of Education’s website dedicated to this initiative.