New London High School Receives STEM BEST + HD Program Award

NEW LONDON — New London High School’s Industrial Technology Program joins the STEM BEST (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (high Demand) program.

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council chose New London High School’s program as one of 38 programs across the state to participate in STEM BEST +HD.

According to the Council, this program brings schools and businesses together to provide students with real workplace experiences, introduce businesses and career opportunities in Iowa and gain career-ready skills.

Through STEM BEST +HD teachers and industry professionals partner to create work-based learning models that incorporate STEM subjects like math and science.

This particular program focuses on creating learning opportunities in high-demand workplace skills.

According to the Council, schools may use the professional and financial support for curriculum development and coordination, educator train and development in the workplace-classroom integration, and preparing work-based learning environments.

“The New London High School will use these funds to increase opportunities within their welding program including new equipment, increased apprenticeship and training opportunities, and expanded programming,” a news release states.

“With receiving the Stem Best grant, we will be able to create more opportunities for our students in the welding industry,” New London Industrial Technology Program Teacher Matt May said.

“This will allow them to use the most up-to-date and unique equipment that wasn't available prior,” he said. “I look forward to expanding our welding shop and bringing these new technologies to our program.”

The STEM Council Executive Committee provides the 38 new or expanded partnerships with guidance, collaboration and financial investment of up to $40,000 each.

According to a news release from the Council, “Compared to the traditional STEM BEST Program, STEM BEST H.D. offers a higher grant amount and a lower cost-share requirement for applicants.”

Applicants for the STEM BEST + HD Program award submitted comprehensive proposals that incorporate rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum and partnerships with community businesses or organizations.

The proposals also align with STEM goals, address sustainability of the model program, and evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

“There is clearly a strong interest in building career-linked learning opportunities in these high-demand fields,” Executive Director of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Jeff Weld said. “This is the highest number of schools who will be named STEM BEST Program models in an application cycle since the program’s launch in 2014. We’re excited to see how these collaborations throughout the state bring attention to the opportunities and skills needed in these high demand job sectors.”

Gov. Kim Reynolds established the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council in July 2011 as a public-private partnership of educators, companies, Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The Council consists of 62 members co-chaired by Gov. Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young.

The 2023 STEM BEST + HD Program awardees are:

Allamakee Community School District

Anamosa Community School District

Ankeny Community School District

Boyden-Hull Community School District

CAL Community School District

Carroll Community School District

Cedar Rapids Community School District

Central DeWitt Community School District

Central Lee Community School District

Chariton Community School District

College Community School District

Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District

Creston Community School District

Davenport Community School District

Dubuque Community School District

Earlham Community School District

East Mills Community School District

East Union Community School District

Fort Dodge Community School District

Griswold Community School District

Harlan Community School District

Holy Family System (Dubuque)

MMCRU Community School District

MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District

Muscatine Community School District

New London Community School District

Ogden Community School District

Okoboji Community School District

Orient-Macksburg Community School District

Osage Community School District

Pella Community School District

Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District

Sioux Center Christian School

Sioux Central Community School District

Van Buren Community School District

Waterloo Community School District

Woodbine Community School District

For more information on the STEM BEST + HD Program, please visit https://www.iowastem.org/STEMBEST.

Interested preschool through 12th grade cross-curricular educators from public and private schools, youth organizations, home-school associations, and other STEM education programs may apply for the 2023-24 STEM Scale-Up Program at www.iowastem.org

Educator applications opened Jan. 9 and will close Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com