News

Iowa youth gain awareness and excitement for STEM through STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair, among other events and programs led by the STEM Council each year.

Letter from Executive Director

Dear Iowa STEM Community,

The STEM Advisory Council works together to advise and guide the state’s edu-nomic quest of inspiring Iowa’s youth to be innovative and enterprising contributors to our future workforce.

STEM Advisory Council Welcomes New Members

Governor Kim Reynolds recently appointed four new members to join the STEM Advisory Council, including Thomas Dodds, Site Manager at BASF; Michelle Hill, Director of Work-Based Learning at Waukee APEX; Sara Lang, Senior Director of Engineering at Collins Aerospace; and Leah Rodenberg, Senior Program Manager at Alliant Energy.

Iowa State University chemical engineering student Emily Wilkerson closed the 24th STEM Advisory Council meeting.

STEM Programs and Working Group Advancements Take Center Stage at 24th STEM Council Meeting

Council member, student representative and Iowa State University chemical engineering student Emily Wilkerson wrapped up the 24th Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council meeting held at the Des Moines Area Community College Urban Campus.

Joni Ehm joins the STEM Council as the Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Manager.

Joni Ehm Joins STEM Team as Southwest Regional STEM Manager

The STEM Council recently welcomed Joni Ehm as the new Southwest Regional STEM Manager operating out of Southwestern Community College. She joins five regional manager counterparts to effectively implement STEM programming, create connections and collaborate with community and business partners, educators and others to increase student interest and achievement in STEM education and careers.

Orbis Project Mentor Joel Fox of the Ankeny Schools shared about their STEM BEST Program at the STEM Advisory Council Meeting.

STEM as Workforce Development the Focus for Council Meeting 23

The STEM Advisory Council held its 23rd convening at the Urban Campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Council members joined through a hybrid of in-person and online participation for a robust agenda of Regional STEM Hub Institution recognition, STEM program showcases, advancements on strategic planning and STEM Council course setting.

Diane Young has been appointed STEM Council co-chair to serve alongside Governor Reynolds.

New Co-Chair to Champion STEM Council

Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services, Diane Young, to serve as the next STEM Council co-chair, succeeding Accumold CEO and president Roger Hargens.

The 22nd meeting of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.

After 15-month Hiatus, STEM Advisory Council Meeting #22

The twenty-second convening of the STEM Advisory Council was held at the Iowa State University (ISU) Student Innovation Center on April 29. The Center offers space that inspires innovation through experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration and idea exchange – all of which encompass the mission and goals set forth for the STEM Council.

A Decade of Igniting Skills for the Future, Curiosity for Life

The STEM Council is celebrating 10 years of progress toward increased interest and achievement in STEM education for all Iowans. To launch this milestone anniversary, the STEM Council is sharing a video highlighting the growth and evolution of STEM education in Iowa.

The STEM Advisory Council met in January 2020 to define priorities for the years to come.

STEM Council Vision Sharpened in 2020

January 31, 2020, the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council set about defining a course for the years to come. Strategizing commenced with small group discussions as to top priorities on the horizon. Over thirty imperatives were brought forth to be voted on, the highest frequency few to be advanced to action-planning. Five essentials rose to the top:

Wendy Batchelder, Chief Data Officer for VMware, co-chaired the STEM Council’s Career Exploration & Guidance working group.

MVP for Iowa STEM: Wendy Batchelder

With a passion for data science and equity, Wendy Batchelder applies her professional background and personal experiences to her role on the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.

STEM Advisory Council members launched five working groups to make recommendations that will shape the future of STEM in Iowa.

STEM Council Strategic Planning Charts Future Course

Members of the STEM Advisory Council alongside academic, business, public policy and nonprofit leaders and passionate volunteers took part in a six-month quest to chart the course of STEM in Iowa.

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