| Lee County, Iowa – The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council announced Central Lee, Ft. Madison, and Keokuk Community Schools as three recipients of the STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) HD Program models for 2021. Each district award will be $40,000, totaling $120,000 to support the Lee County Career Advantage Center.
The STEM BEST HD Program is designed to prepare students for the workforce through curriculum focused on skills needed in job sectors such as computer science/information technology, healthcare professions, and advanced manufacturing. “We are excited to be awarded these funds by the STEM Council. “This is a collaborative effort and will make a big impact in Lee County,” stated Lee County EDG Project Director Dana Millard. “These funds will allow us to further our goal of connecting Lee County students with the skills needed to meet their career goals.”
Funds awarded to Ft. Madison will support the architectural design and renovation of the former KL Megla building in Montrose, serving as home to the Career Advantage Center.
“The Fort Madison Community School District is excited to be a part of a partnership that supports future learning and training opportunities for our students via the Lee County Career Advantage Center,” said Ft. Madison Superintendent, Erin Slater. “This has been a
multi-year project in the making, and we are grateful to the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council for their recognition of this endeavor. “
Funds awarded to Keokuk Community School District will provide furnishings for the four classrooms to be created in the first phase of renovations.
“The Keokuk Community School District is appreciative of the partnerships with Ft. Madison and Central Lee Community School Districts in addition to Southeastern Community College and Lee County Economic Development. Additionally, we are excited about the opportunities the Career Advantage Center will provide for all Lee County students. This collaborative learning space will provide dynamic opportunities to prepare students as they enter the workforce here in Lee County.” -Doreen Underwood, Director of Instructional Services and Dan Mart, Superintendent.
Funds awarded to the Central Lee Community School district will support the installation of technology into the classroom spaces. “Having interactive display panels and HD TVs will support an engaging student experience at the Career Advantage Center. In addition to this, business and industry can utilize this technology to interact with students on collaborative projects. Central Lee is appreciative of the STEM Advisory Council for supporting this shared effort in providing robust work-based learning opportunities for Lee County students.” – Angie Fransk, Curriculum Director.
The STEM BEST HD Program results from a special appropriation from the Iowa legislature to expand the STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program to focus efforts on job sectors in high demand. It will help build partnerships between schools and businesses, allowing educators and industry professionals to work together to develop curriculum and projects that prepare students for careers in these high-demand fields.
The STEM Council Executive Committee reviewed and approved 38 new or expanded partnerships supported by up to $40,000 each. Compared to the traditional STEM BEST Program, STEM BEST HD offers a higher grant amount and a lower cost-share requirement for applicants. The awards can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, time for program planning with partners, travel needs, or integrating curriculum into existing courses.
To be considered for a STEM BEST HD Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, align with STEM goals, address the sustainability of the model program, and conduct an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness.
###
About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council: Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our state’s historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM
education opportunities. The 62-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org. |
