Applications for STEM BEST® awards are open through Nov. 3! Iowa schools can apply for funding to bring career-connected learning to students. Learn more and apply today. @IowaSTEM educate.iowa.gov/headline-st…

Applications are open for STEM BEST Program Awards! Let's add your school to the map! 📍 educate.iowa.gov/STEM/BEST @IowaSTEM #IowaSTEM #STEMBEST

In celebration of #America250, @IowaSTEM launched STEM BEST® 250, a statewide initiative designed to inspire student-led service projects through Iowa’s network of STEM BEST® Program models. Learn more about this campaign that will engage more than 200 school districts in Iowa in community service projects that develop and empower student servant leaders. bit.ly/4eBIm2a

The @IowaSTEM Advisory Council is looking for STEM stakeholders to share what’s working in their classrooms and communities to turn bold ideas into action as presenters and panelists at the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit. Submit your proposal today and help create innovation in STEM in Iowa! bit.ly/4djUX8v #WhereBoldIdeasTakeFlight

Today we’re highlighting Beth Smith, a 20-year kindergarten teacher at Kreft Elementary in @LewisCentralCSD. She enjoys helping young students see themselves as capable thinkers and creators by incorporating @IowaSTEM computer science concepts like pattern recognition and basic coding at the start of their educational journey. Thank you, Ms. Smith! #CelebrateTeachersIA #TAW2026

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! All this week, we’re highlighting some of Iowa’s outstanding teachers from across the state. Today, we’re featuring Emily Neal, a science educator with nearly three decades of experience. Neal is currently an English Language Learner high school science, physical science and chemistry teacher at Postville Community School District. Thank you to all teachers for your dedicated work in Iowa schools! #TAW2026 #CelebrateTeachersIA tinyurl.com/379ueth7

Today, we celebrated Justin Heckman, 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the Southwest Iowa STEM Region, at the 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon. Heckman, a 25-year veteran physics teacher and robotics coach at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, is noted for his innovation, creativity and lively energy to make STEM come alive, notably riding a skateboard to illustrate inertia and using a garage spring to dramatize the conversion of potential to kinetic energy. #CelebrateTeachersIA @CBCommSchools @iowastem @IAGovernor @IALtGov

Congratulations to Pamela Joslyn, 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the Southeast Iowa STEM Region! Today, she was recognized at the 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Luncheon for her achievements. Joslyn, a 33-year veteran STEM teacher at Muscatine Middle School, is also an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow and a 2019 Fulbright Distinguished Teacher to Finland and is noted for advancing the field of STEM in Iowa and beyond. #CelebrateTeachersIA @muscatineschools @iowastem @SEIASTEM @IAGovernor @IALtGov

We were proud to honor Jared Almandinger as the 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the South Central Iowa STEM Region at today’s 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon. Almandinger, a six-year medical and bioscience research instructor, STEM Camp Director and STEM Club Advisor for Waukee APEX, is noted for his partnerships with local businesses and growing the Waukee’s STEM pipeline from third grade through graduation, ensuring integration of STEM into student curriculum. #CelebrateTeachersIA @iagovernor @waukeecsd @iowastem @IALtGov

Big applause for Alan Bandstra, 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the Northwest Iowa STEM Region! He was honored at the 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon today alongside 15 other top Iowa teachers. Bandstra, a 37-year veteran sixth grade math and science teacher at Sioux Center Christian School, often ties in real-world applications for his students, partnering with local entities like Oak Grove Park to make park trails more accessible and stopping the spread of invasive species. #CelebrateTeachersIA @siouxcenterchristian @iowastem @NWIowaSTEM @IAGovernor @IALtGov

Congratulations! Dylan Shaffer, 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the Northeast Iowa STEM Region, was celebrated at today’s 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon. Shaffer, an eight-year science and intro to STEM teacher at Monticello Middle School, was nominated by seven different individuals for the award, highlighting his abilities to build strong relationships with students and create a welcoming learning environment that promotes empowerment, exploration and success. #CelebrateTeachersIA @Monti_Panthers @NEIASTEM @iowastem @IAGovernor @IALtGov

Way to go! Anna Brooks, 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient for the North Central Iowa STEM Region, was honored today at the 2026 Outstanding Iowa Educators Recognition Luncheon. Brooks, an eight-year agriculture teacher at Ames High School, is also a National FFA Teacher Ambassador who promotes innovation in agriculture education and STEM integration through inquiry-based learning and teacher professional development. #CelebrateTeachersIA @ACSD_News @iowastem @IAGovernor @IALtGov

Hooray for STEM education! Director McKenzie Snow and PK-12 Division Administrator Tina Wahlert joined hundreds of students and teachers from across the state for STEM Day at the Capitol. During this lively event, they participated in several student-led exhibits and projects that provided interactive, hands-on learning experiences. The annual Iowa STEM Day at the Capitol showcases student excellence and career exploration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, demonstrating that Iowa’s next generation will be well-equipped to move us forward in innovation and future success. #IowaSTEM @IowaSTEM

Six outstanding Iowa educators were honored yesterday as recipients of the Iowa STEM Teacher Award, spotlighting their incredible work and leadership in the STEM BEST, STEM Scale-Up and STEM Teacher Externships Programs. Director McKenzie Snow and Iowa STEM Bureau Chief Justin Lewis joined Iowa @IALtGov , @IowaSTEM Co-Chair Diane Young and @Google Data Center Operations Manager Abram Denzlinger in celebrating this year’s awardees, representing each of the six STEM regions in the state. Congratulations to our 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award winners: - Northwest STEM Region: Alan Bandstra, Sioux Center Christian - North Central STEM Region: Anna Brooks, Ames High School - Northeast STEM Region: Dylan Shaffer, Monticello Middle School - Southwest STEM Region: Justin Heckman, Abraham Lincoln High School - South Central STEM Region: Jared Almandinger, Waukee APEX. - Southeast STEM Region: Pamela Joslyn, Muscatine Middle School #CelebrateTeachersIA #IowaSTEM

Six outstanding teachers have been named 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipients! Awarded by @IowaSTEM and sponsored by Google, the honor recognizes teachers across the state for their contribution and dedication to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Iowa. educate.iowa.gov/press-relea…

Have you checked out the new @IowaSTEM Scale-Up Program menu yet? New this year, the program is evolving to a three-year model to offer Iowa educators and students benefit from deeper learning, stronger support and the opportunity for ideas to grow and succeed. educate.iowa.gov/iowa-stem/s…