Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, announced the selection of six regional network hubs that will promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and economic development across Iowa today. This is the first major initiative of the new Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, a public-private partnership that aims to foster greater student achievement in STEM subjects and build a stronger STEM workforce. Each STEM network hub will work with business, education institutions, nonprofit groups and others in their region in a way that best fits local needs, interests and resources.
Thirteen Iowa institutions and organizations applied to serve as regional STEM network hubs, which will physically house the coordinating centers and their network hub managers. A review panel selected by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council Executive Committee recommended the six finalists to Branstad, who accepted the recommendations without changes.
The six hubs are:
Northwest hub – Iowa Lakes Community College
Northeast hub – University of Northern Iowa
North central hub – Iowa State University
Southwest hub – Southwestern Community College
Southeast hub – University of Iowa & Kirkwood Community College
South central hub – Drake University
“These six regional STEM network hubs will be the driving force offering Iowa youngsters more opportunities to learn about STEM, which will better prepare them to someday consider STEM careers,” Branstad said. “STEM fields are among the fastest-growing, with many jobs that pay well.”
