Iowa STEM Teacher Externships

The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program aims to help teachers answer that age-old question, "When will I ever use this?"

During the summer, STEM educators work side-by-side with knowledgeable and skilled industry employees who help bring the classroom curriculum to life. STEM Teacher Externships provide educators with the exposure to answer questions about real-world application, prepare students for careers they may have in the future and improve educational experiences.

“The experience I've had here will definitely change how I approach certain topics because I've seen the kinds of skills that the people who work here at different levels need to have. I will be able to give my students an idea of the kind of future employment they can expect to have if they only aspire to certain levels of education and training.” -Doug Darland, Muscatine High School, 2011 Iowa STEM Teacher Extern – Monsanto (Muscatine)

Goals

Create lasting partnerships between workplaces and local schools.
Connect Teacher Extern experience with STEM content and 21st century skills identified in the Iowa Core.
Give students real-world career information about career possibilities right here in Iowa.
Give teachers the opportunity to see and use the latest real-world applications STEM disciplines in a local business or industry.

STEM Teacher Externships are full-time, six-week temporary summer positions in local businesses and agencies for licensed, secondary teachers of mathematics, science and/or technology. STEM Teachers earn a stipend of up to $5,000 (including two paid professional development days), as well as three graduate credits through the University of Northern Iowa’s Continuing Education program.