Recently, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council directed additional support toward 19 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program partners through the STEM BEST Program Enhancement Fund. The funds will help enhance work-based learning opportunities made available through school and business partnerships during the 2019-2020 academic year.

The STEM BEST Program Enhancement Fund supports previously awarded STEM BEST Programs that demonstrated evidence of how the funds would enrich or expand current STEM BEST Programs, strengthen partnerships, enhance experiences for students and increase participation of students of diversity.

In the Southeast STEM Region, Davenport West High School was awarded $10,000 to develop a summer camp for 5th grade and older students focusing on manufacturing and design. The camp will target underrepresented students in manufacturing with the goal of preparing students to pursue manufacturing coursework in high school and manufacturing careers post-high school.

Keokuk High School was awarded $6563 to develop the 12 Plus Program from Lee County Economic Development Group. In the past, Keokuk High School had limited participation due to transportation barriers and scheduling issues. Developing the course on campus will allow more students to enroll in the program and improve their awareness of careers, soft skills and overall employability skills.

For more information about the awarded programs, visit https://iowastem.gov/2019-stem-best%C2%AE-program-enhancement-fund-partners