Learning directly from health care professionals. Working with hands-on medical simulations. Handling a real, preserved human brain. Sounds like the stuff of medical school, doesn't it? Thanks to a University of Iowa STEM outreach program, much younger students are getting these experiences as they explore health care and various other STEM areas.

University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) STEM Education offers high-impact, hands-on programming experiences that inspire K–12 students to explore health care and other STEM fields. Programming for a variety of STEM experiences is offered on and off campus.

On-campus programs can be catered to different grade levels, allowing for hands-on science fun (grades K–5), opportunities to meet professionals and discover career paths (grades 6–12), and deep dives into the life of a provider (grades 9–12)

Outreach or off-campus programs extend UIHC STEM Education's impact into K–12 classrooms, community events, and career fairs. Much of the programming is made possible through relationships and partnerships with UIHC faculty and staff, as well as University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine medical student volunteers.

In December 2025, UIHC STEM Education hosted their annual Kids Go STEM! event at the University of Iowa Medical Education and Research Facility. More than 100 students in grades 6–12 participated in hands-on stations that showcased various medical simulations, guided by volunteers from multiple different medical departments at the University of Iowa.

In spring 2026, UIHC STEM Education will expand its programming with a new Teens Go STEM! event, a free program that focuses on career exploration into health care, targeting students in grades 9–12. Participants will join medical and health sciences students and professionals from the University of Iowa for interactive experiences and simulations with a focus on health care skills, innovations in health care, critical issues impacting Iowa’s health care, how to pursue a health care career, and health literacy.

To learn more about this and other programming UIHC STEM Education provides, visit: https://uihealthcare.org/education/ui-health-care-stem-education.