WHY IT MATTERS
The University of Iowa’s STEM Innovator® professional development program equips educators with the tools needed to partner with business and industry. STEM Innovator® prepares teachers to have their students work in teams employing an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking to solve authentic, community-driven, real-world problems. STEM Innovator® students identify a problem of interest, verify and validate the problem through customer discovery, and establish and implement a solution. STEM Innovator® students gain the skills needed to thrive in a 21st century global economy.
INCENTIVES
Secondary teachers engage in extensive professional development, receive mentoring, and expand their networks. Teachers are able to earn up to five University of Iowa graduate credits at a discounted rate, offer college credit to high school students, and access the STEM Innovator Toolkit (curriculum, instruction, and assessment resources).
TRAINING PATHWAYS
Professional development opportunities include online training, face-to-face training at the University of Iowa, and custom face-to-face training in your school district or region. STEM Innovator®professional development is a multi-year program, providing each cohort with University of Iowa training and support, as well as access to a network of educators across the country.
ONSITE
STEM Innovator® Onsite Professional Development consists of face-to-face or hybrid professional development. See existing, upcoming opportunities or contact us to craft a solution that is right for your school and receive a price quote for tailored training.
Audience: nationwide
Cost: case-by-case, contact stem-innovator@uiowa.edu for a quote
ONLINE
STEM Innovator® Online Professional Development consists of two-hour, weekly sessions. This graduate level program is typically available twice per year to secondary teachers wanting strategies and methods for infusing STEM innovation and entrepreneurship into their curriculum.
Audience: nationwide
Cost: see opportunities for pricing structure
ED CAMP
STEM Innovator® Onsite Ed Camp consists of a one-day in-person workshop along with an evening networking event in Iowa City, IA. This graduate level program brings STEM Innovator® teams at various stages of implementation together to collaborate, network, share ideas, and learn from one another to advance their implementation models.
Audience: nationwide (current STEM Innovator® teams)
STEMINARS WITH EXPERTS
During and after completing certification, educators have ongoing access to STEMinars® with national thought leaders in research and the sciences. Many of these sessions are open to the public.