As part of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council initiative to bring teachers and industry professionals together to help prepare students for STEM careers, Stanton Schools was selected to be a 2019 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program Partner. Thirteen new or expanded partnerships were selected to receive up to $25,000 each.
The STEM Best Program supports school-business partnerships that allow teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side on curriculum and projects that give students actual workplace experience and an understanding of the opportunities and required skills for careers in STEM fields. STEM BEST has also laid the groundwork for other successful statewide initiatives such as Future Ready Iowa’s Work-Based Learning Clearinghouse.
The Stanton Community Schools staff is excited and has already started the process of making plans and connecting with business and industry professionals. Through the partnering with local business and industry, Stanton students will not only get authentic hands-on experiences, they will be developing meaningful relationships and finding ways their skills can give back to our partners in Stanton, Red Oak, and beyond.
“Working with business and industry leaders in not something new, but this new initiative will put our students shoulder to shoulder with professionals who are investing time both in the classroom and in their engaging work environments. I am really excited about the conversations we’ve started and the projects that are already in the hopper! I look forward to the seeing the fruits of the exciting projects our students and communities will be doing together.” Mr. Jeff Grebin, Business Teacher
To be considered for a STEM BEST Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, real-world learning opportunities and expertise at the post-secondary education and training level. These awardees will serve as a model to share unique perspective, strengths, demographics and program focus with other schools throughout Iowa.
