St. Pat’s wins two Iowa STEM Scale-Up awards for next year

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Interactive displays were a big attraction at last April's STEM fair in the St. Pat's school gym. Two new STEM awards will continue supporting the science-based curriculum.

St. Patrick School learned this week it has won two STEM grants for next year from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The grants will fund a middles school program — Engineering Everywhere — and a K-8 program — Making STEM Connections.

Efforts at St. Pat’s to develop science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum have met with success. Emily Domeyer, who teaches math and science to sixth, seventh and eighth graders at St. Pat’s, landed the funding for the latest programs with a successful grant application.

“The board reviewed many applications from teachers, administrators and informal educators — all excited to bring exemplary STEM programs to Iowa’s students,” said Sarah Derry, South Central Iowa Regional STEM Manager. “In our region alone, the board received more than 99 requests for programs on the 2018-19 STEM Scale-Up Program menu, which would require an increase of 73 percent in the region’s budget to fully fund.”

Derry noted the St. Pat’s awards depend on continued funding from the Iowa legislature.

“If this support continues, you can expect to begin implementing your program in Fall 2018,” she said. “We have every indication that funding is highly likely but if not, you will hear from us right away.”

As part of the middle school Engineering Everywhere program, teachers will receive program-specific professional development training. The school-wide STEM Connections kit comes with a variety of materials to support a classroom of 30, such as a GoPro Camera, robotics components, MaKey MaKey, circuit materials, DC Motors, hand tools, soldering iron, sewing machine, safety goggles and first aid kit.

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