Students Tackle Large Problems With The Help Of Community Leaders

December 11, 2019

CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) - High school students from across eastern Iowa have spent months problem solving potential issues in the state.

BizInnovator Certified: An Inside Look

November 21, 2019

We asked a BizInnovator certified teacher what a day in her life was like in her BizInnovator Classroom. Read below to see what she had to say and how BizInnovator could benefit your classroom!

What format do you teach BI in? (I.e. semester, afterschool, trimester)

I teach BI during a trimester.

Spring 2019 Innovator Competition Winners Assist the Blind

October 11, 2019

Stria Labs of Hillsborough, California, took first-place and $1,500 in seed capital in the spring 2019 Innovator Competition.

105 high school students submitted business concepts from across the country, and 10 finalist teams were invited to pitch to the judges. A total of $3,500 in seed capital was awarded to five teams.

Noah Tavares, Madeline Park, and other team members earned top honors for their low-profile, smart-waistband designed to ensure that the visually impaired remain safe from collisions with high-speed traffic.

Other winners are:

STEM Innovator® Joining The Big Splash Festival

August 30, 2019

Artists and engineers are coming together to make waves at a festival celebrating the river that is such a large part of the University of Iowa and Iowa City communities.

The Big Splash!, scheduled for August 14-16, 2020,will commemorate the Iowa River, along with the 100th anniversary of IIHR – Hydroscience & Engineering. Three days of events will take place along and on the Iowa River, and will be free to the public.

STEM Innovator® named one of ten STEM Scale-Up Programs for Iowa educators

January 16, 2019

STEM Innovator® was named one of ten STEM Scale-Up Programs for Iowa educators in the 2019 - 2020 academic year. Through legislative appropriation, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is able to offer exemplary STEM programs throughout the state.

$3,500 awarded in fall 2018 Innovator Competition

December 17, 2018

Unwind of San Mateo, California, took first-place and $1,500 in seed capital in the fall 2018 Innovator Competition.

95 high school students pitched 84 concepts from across the country, and 10 finalist teams were invited to pitch to the judges. A total of $3,500 in seed capital was awarded to five teams.

Katya Panchenko, Alice Enger, and Morgan Tarpenning earned top honors for their handheld device designed to alleviate stress and anxiety with a calming light and a pulse, mimicking a heartbeat. They are students at Nueva School.

Other winners are:

STEM Innovator® Ed Camp brings teachers to campus

July 9, 2018

Annual STEM Innovator® Ed Camp for teachers gets under way the week of July 23 on the University of Iowa campus. Nearly 50 educators are registered for this year's camp, which is designed to help teachers get the most from their STEM Innovator®professional development, as well as build and evolve their innovation models.

Leslie Flynn, PhD, co-creator of STEM Innovator®and University of Iowa professor of STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, is lead facilitator of the camp. Jacobson Institute Director Dawn Bowlus, co-creator of STEM Innovator,® will be there as well.

Summer 2018 entrepreneur camps are making memories

June 22, 2018

Time flies when you're having fun! The Jacobson Institute wrapped up another successful week of entrepreneur camp in June. Young entrepreneurs in the Iowa City area and Marion (see photo) had a great time creating, problem-solving and taking their products to local farmers markets. July camps in Iowa City and Des Moines started July 9. Highlights include a scavenger hunt, market night and special guest Paul Rottenberg of Zombie Burger at the Des Moines camp. The Jacobson Institute's summer entrepreneur camps are held annually for students in grades 5-9.

$3,250 awarded in spring 2018 Innovator Competition

June 11, 2018

Bert and Dom Innovations of Keokuk, Iowa, took first-place and $1,500 in seed capital in the spring 2018 Innovator Competition.

Some 100 teams of high school students from across the country applied for the spring competition, and 12 finalist teams were invited to pitch to the judges. A total of $3,250 in seed capital was awarded to four teams.

Britany Flockhart (pictured) and Dominic Moore earned top honors for their invention that helps hunters field-dress a deer. They are students at Keokuk High School.

Other winners are: