CRESTON, IA—Beth Kulow, area regional manager for the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiative has announced more than 170 teachers and community leaders will be participating in Scale-Up programs for the STEM initiative. Statewide, more than 800 schools and community organizations will have the opportunity to experience STEM programming and activities.
“The focus of the council’s first year was figuring out how to begin delivering first-rate STEM education programs to students across the state,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. “We have had some outstanding STEM programs in Iowa, but whether students had access depended on where they lived. These Scale-Up programs have changed that.”
The top priority of the STEM initiative is increasing student interest and achievement in STEM education.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than watching that light bulb go off when kids see their own potential. These STEM programs will make a difference for Iowa teachers and students,” said Kulow. “I am convinced that the implementation of these programs, combined with partnerships from STEM business and industry, will result in a strong launch for STEM in our schools.”
More than 900 applications from all regions in the state were received from public and private schools, community organizations, and non-profits.
In June, six regional STEM hubs were created with the appointment of regional hub managers and regional advisory boards. The regional managers sought applicants for the Scale-Up programs and have notified applicants of their grant awards.
According to Jeff Weld, executive director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, the impact of this programming will be measured in Iowa classrooms using, "test scores of our participants, attitudes and intentions of kids who participate in these programs, and readiness for post-secondary STEM study and careers to tell us the impact of our mission.” Weld said in today’s complex world, teachers, students, parents, and communities need to understand that the STEM fields are the basis for innovative problem solving and discovery.
“This robust response to the Scale-Up programming just goes to show the strong interest and need Iowa has regarding STEM learning," said University of Northern Iowa President and STEM Advisory Council Co-chair Ben Allen. "We'd like to extend a much deserved thank you for the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making the availability of this programming a reality."
STEM education opportunities are best acquired through exploratory learning and active student engagement.
“We were blown away by the number of educators who applied for STEM programs for their kids. They understand the importance of ensuring that more children have outstanding opportunities to learn about STEM,” said Reynolds. “This initiative is about increasing innovation, productivity and opportunity in Iowa, and expanding STEM education programs across Iowa moves us in that direction.”
About the Southwest Iowa STEM Region: The Southwest Regional STEM Network includes communities as far north as Dow City, Manning, and Coon Rapids; as far west as Hamburg, Council Bluffs, and Mondamin; and as far east as Mount Ayr, Dexter and Panora. Through a competitive application process, Southwestern Community College was designated as the Southwest Iowa STEM Hub. Each region is dedicated to promoting and implementing quality STEM programming under the guidance of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. For more information about the Governor’s STEM Initiative in this region, please contact Beth Kulow, regional manager, at 641.782.1520 or by email at
About the Governor's STEM Advisory Council: Signed in to order in 2011, The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership whose overarching goal is creating greater student achievement in STEM subjects and a stronger STEM workforce.