Moving forward with STEM

Over the past several years, Iowa has seen a rise in the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) college and university graduates. As a STEM-degree graduate myself, I'm proud to know that our state has seen an increase in the number of STEM-related, postsecondary degrees by 31 percent, according to a 2014 report produced by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Iowa business leaders could not be happier.

A recent study conducted by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce indicates there is only one STEM-qualified job seeker for every 3.4 STEM jobs available in our state. These astonishing facts prompted the creation of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and the goal of increasing interest and awareness in STEM.

The STEM Council began in 2011 to raise awareness and interest in STEM education across the state to help keep our students competitive with peers around the world. To ensure every student in the state is receiving quality STEM education, the STEM Council divided the state into six regions, each with a designated manager. I am honored to serve as the manager of the Southeast STEM region.

Fourteen schools in our region were recently named 2015 Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers (BEST) program winners, the $50,000 cost-matched, STEM classrooms at Davenport West High School and Mount Pleasant Middle School are already impacting student learning and almost 60 educators in our region were nominated for the 2015 STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching sponsored by Kemin Industries.

In my role, I'm charged with increasing the number of business partners to help continue the initiative's efforts that include creating a strong STEM workforce and spurring economic growth. This year, we are committed to expanding our relationships with higher education institutions and will continue to build our partnership opportunities through STEM events, job shadowing, Real World Externships for Teachers, internships with STEM industry businesses and the BEST initiative.

Our efforts have generated impressive results. Last year, 94 percent of our school districts participated in STEM Scale-Up programs, which is the largest statewide initiative launched by the STEM Council to increase interest and awareness in STEM topics, and 12 educators in the region participated in teacher externships with local businesses.

In the coming months, we will watch the progress of the BEST programs as they unite local businesses and students can learn at business or industry sites or at an industry site located on a school campus.

The work of the regional advisory board and STEM supporters across our region has been critical to the expansion of STEM awareness and the growth we have seen over the last three years.

We have many opportunities planned for 2015 and want you to join us. Please connect with us on Twitter (@STEM_SE_Iowa), Facebook (STEM Hub - SE Iowa) or visit www.se.iowastem.org.

' Kristine Bullock is the Southeast Regional STEM Manager of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and is based at the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. Comments: Kristine-bullock@uiowa.edu or 319-335-4042