This month, we turn our STEM spotlight on Jenna Stevens, Agriculture in the Classroom Consultant for Clinton and Jackson Counties and Southeast Iowa STEM Region Advisory Board Member.

In her education role, Stevens contracts with PK-12 teachers to provide hands-on learning about an array of agricultural topics.

"Ag and STEM are closely related," says Stevens, "so it is easy to tie the two together. I enjoy watching my students dive into the creative side of education and STEM allows that to happen. It is easy to ask students to problem-solve using STEM methods because it is something our Iowa farmers do every day."

Stevens describes a recent example of merging agriculture, STEM, and creativity with students when Nestle Purina brought SPOT, a robotic dog (pictured), into a third-grade classroom at Prince of Peace Elementary, in Clinton. Students got to see SPOT in action and ask questions about his purpose and the people who helped program him. Says Stevens: "After SPOT visited, the students had to create their own STEM makerspace models of SPOT and assign him a specific job either helping farmers harvest the crops they would sell to Nestle to make their dog or cat food or a job he could help with in the factory. The kids were so creative and did an outstanding job!"

Stevens describes the importance of STEM as building "natural curiosity" in kids. Fostering that curiosity and encouraging kids to put it to use is among the reasons she values her role on the Southeast Iowa STEM Advisory Board.

"Working with the advisory board has taught me to look for STEM opportunities where I might otherwise not," says Stevens, "and to encourage students to explore in abstract ways until they find a solution to a problem."