The Sioux Central Agricultural Education Department has been selected as one of 37 Iowa school districts to join the STEM BEST High Demand Program.
Melanie Bloom is the Sioux Central agricultural education teacher…(audio clip below :22 )
STEM BEST HD encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side by side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experimental learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council’s investment of professional and financial support can be used for curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration, and preparing work-based learning environments.
Sioux Central is receiving a 40-thousand dollar STEM BEST grant, which Bloom says will go toward a state-of-the-art educational greenhouse project…(audio clip below :26 )
Bloom is hopeful the greenhouse will be completed sometime this calendar year.
STEM BEST stands for Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers. To be considered for the award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, aligns with STEM goals, addresses sustainability of the model program, and evaluates the program’s effectiveness.
