Ms. Erin Suter, a TAG and science/math teacher, Mr. Dave McLaughlin, Industrial Technology, and four students from the Washington Junior High School attended the 3rd Annual STEM Symposium at the University of Iowa on May 4, 2010. WEDG Director, Ed Raber also attended as a "community partner."
The Symposium's emphasis this year was on middle school students in order to start getting students interested while they are developing their class plans before entering high school.
Washington Junior High School is starting a "Gateway to Technology"course to help students explore math, science, and technology. The Washington School District has begun a "Project Lead the Way" program at the High School, and continues to build science and math programs around it.
Great sponsors and partners in Iowa's STEM education and programs include:
- Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa. They have great opportunities for summer camps for 4-9 grade students at the U of I.
- Iowa Math & Science Coalition at the Univ. of Northern Iowa- Bringing together leaders in business, government, education and communities to positively impact and influence science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Iowa.
- The Corridor STEM Initiative is a regional effort in the Technology Corridor around Cedar Rapids/Iowa City to promote STEM education.
- The University of Iowa College of Engineering's K-12 Outreach Program which coordinates great educational partnerships and programs like Summer Robotics Camp for 6-10th graders, Project Lead the Way, and the First Tech Challenge.
- The Workplace Learning Connection is a joint Kirkwood Community College/Grant Wood AEA initiative that works to develop our future workforce by connecting business & education in relevant, work-based learning activities for k-12 students and teachers.
