Pella Area School-Business Partnership Named STEM BEST Program Model
Pella, IA (08/19/2020) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds named a collaboration of the Pella Community School District, of which Central College also is a partner, a new STEM BEST Program partner. The program, the Partnership for Excellent Educational Resources for STEM (PEERS), received one of 12 statewide STEM BEST awards administered by the governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advisory Council.
PEERS introduces young students to area careers by bringing experts in local occupations to the classroom experience. The guests are engaged by teachers to share with students through interactive activities and knowledge related to the work they do every day. PEERS has been providing visibility to engineering careers, with expertise from Pella Corporation, Vermeer Corporation and 3M. Due to STEM BEST support, PEERS is now positioned to expand the featured occupations, as well as employer and school partnerships.
"Providing students with access to STEM work-based learning experiences can transform their lives and have a real impact on Iowa's future workforce," says Reynolds, STEM Council co-chair. "We deeply appreciate the dedication of educators and employers in communities across the state who together expose thousands of students to the skills needed in the workplace and the connection to classroom learning."
To be considered for a STEM BEST Program partner, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that included thorough and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, real-world learning opportunities and expertise at the postsecondary education and training level. Awardees will serve as models to share unique perspectives, strengths, demographics and program focus with other schools throughout Iowa.
"The PEERS program provides a launch point for students into a lifelong learning continuum, in support of their career goals," said Lowell Ernst, director of K-12 instruction for Pella Community Schools. "That continuum is being developed by a Regional Talent Pipeline initiative, to provide pathways for students into successful and fulfilling careers. This is a unique time to leverage all our resources to benefit local students, schools and employers, as well as the economy of Iowa."
Visit IowaSTEM.gov/STEMBEST for more information on the STEM BEST Program. For more information, contact Danielle Bortscheller, public relations coordinator at Pella Community School District, at danielle.bortscheller@pellaschools.org or 641-780-3004.
About the Career Academy of Pella: The Career Academy of Pella is a state-of-the-art building where the Pella Community School District offers courses focusing on career and technical education. The design of the Career Academy concept has a four-pronged effect on our region, intended to: train students in relevant and rigorous programs with hands-on experience, increase the interest for students in careers that are related to post-secondary programs and require further education, develop a workforce with a quicker turnaround for local business and industry needs, and encourage economic development and new business through a better trained workforce.
About the Talent Pipeline Initiative: The Regional Talent Pipeline initiative is focused on the creation, implementation and promotion of a strong work-based student experience. The collaboration of regional partners identifies new and emerging training opportunities that align with industry workforce needs. It connects students, employers, parents, various schools, colleges, career academies and program partners to facilitate a high-quality, work-based learning experience.
About the STEM Advisory Council: Established in July 2011 via governor's executive order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, employers and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our state's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 62-member STEM Council is chaired by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.