This month, we turn our STEM spotlight on the Muscatine County Conservation Board (MCCB). The MCCB offers a variety of environmental-education opportunities for K-12 students throughout the school year and summer.

"I didn't used to think about what we do as STEM," says Michelle Berns, a naturalist with MCCB. "But with observation, data collection, nature art, building shelters, and more, I realize what we do is actually STEM education."

Throughout the year, MCCB hosts a number of events and activities on site at their Environmental Learning Center, as well as in their roving "classrooms" among the vast woods and wetlands of Muscatine County. This is an opportunity to connect kids to the outdoors, allowing them to be "in on the research that is happening now," says Berns.

Kids are not the only participants in these programs, either. MCCB has hosted Teacher Externs through the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program for the last five summers, providing rewarding experiences for educators and MCCB staff alike.

"Those teachers always teach us something," says Berns. "I've learned so much from each of them."

Those interested in MCCB programming and opportunities can learn more at the link below. MCCB expects to announce their summer programs in March.

You can stay up to date on theirs and all the other STEM events happening throughout the Southeast Iowa STEM Region by visiting our Facebook events page.