The Central Lee Community School District is one of 37 Iowa school districts to be awarded the STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (High Demand) Program to provide students with real workplace experiences.
This program helps introduce students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, while also gaining career-ready skills. Including the latest honorees, 155 partnerships have been created or expanded since the STEM BEST Program launched in 2014.
The STEM BEST + HD Program enables teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects, such as mathematics and science, with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace. The STEM 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.
“We are delighted to receive this award and expand real-life STEM opportunities for our students and staff,” said Dr. Andy Crozier, CLCSD Superintendent. “College and career readiness is a major focal point in Central Lee Community Schools, and this award will help us continue to help students develop these integral skills.”
“Having the opportunity that this program provides, to expand the science facility at Central Lee High School will be a huge asset to counting to offer every opportunity and to make direct connections to careers in science to our students,” said Alicia Schiller, Central Lee High School Science Teacher.
Central Lee is currently planning a complete renovation of the high school science classrooms. The new classrooms, once completed, will include separate lab and instruction space and increases the square footage for each classroom.
“This grant will help us provide a top-notch facility that includes equipment that is also used in industry,” said Jamey Sue Smith, Central Lee High School Science Teacher. “It will allow us to give our students real-life experiences that align to experiences they may have when they graduate from our school.”
To be considered for a STEM BEST + HD Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, includes valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, aligns with STEM goals, addresses sustainability of the model program, and evaluates the program’s effectiveness.
For more information on the STEM BEST + HD Program, please visit https://www.iowastem.org/STEMBEST.