Cedar Falls, Iowa — The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has announced 37 Iowa school districts, including three schools in our area, will join or expand the STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (High Demand) Program to provide students with real workplace experiences.
The council tells us the program helps introduce students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, while also gaining career-ready skills. Including the latest honorees, 155 partnerships have been created or expanded since the STEM BEST Program launched in 2014.
The schools in our area that are involved are the Boyden-Hull Community School District, the Orange City-based MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, and Sioux Center Christian School.
According to council representatives, the STEM BEST + HD Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace. The Council’s investment of professional and financial support can be used for curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration and preparing work-based learning environments.
The STEM Council Executive Committee reviewed and approved 37 new or expanded partnerships supported by guidance, collaboration, and financial investment of up to $40,000 each.
To be considered for a STEM BEST + HD Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curricula, includes valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, aligns with STEM goals, addresses the sustainability of the model program, and evaluates the program’s effectiveness.
For more information on the STEM BEST + HD Program, please visit https://www.iowastem.org/STEMBEST.
