This month, we turn our STEM spotlight on Lee County Conservation. Lee County Conservation offers a variety of environmental-education opportunities for K-12 students throughout the school year and summer, building a deeper connection to the outdoors and the STEM opportunities the natural world presents.

At Lee County Conservation, naturalists lead hundreds of STEM-focused programs each year for local youth­—ranging from classroom visits and summer camps to immersive field trips at various parks. One highlight is their mussels field trip with area seventh graders, where students put on waders and step into the Mississippi River to collect and identify mussels, test water quality, and even canoe. These hands-on experiences spark curiosity and help students see the real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math in their own backyard.

“We believe STEM outreach is vital because it not only builds a deeper connection to our natural resources, but it also inspires the next generation of problem-solvers, conservationists, and community leaders,” says Heather Huebner, director of Lee County Conservation.

In addition to the work Lee County Conservation does to engage local youth in STEM learning, they also play a role in continuing teacher education by serving as a host site for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.

“Our work is strengthened by community partners like Climax Molybdenum, who support our efforts through funding and volunteers, and by hosting a summer teacher Extern who helps expand and improve our programming,” says Huebner.

Those interested in Lee County Conservation programming and opportunities can learn more on the organization's Facebook page and website.