District Receives STEM BEST® Program Award

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department of Education announced the Iowa City Community School District as one of the 31 school districts to receive the 2026-27 STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program award. The STEM BEST® Program brings schools and businesses together to provide students with real workplace experiences, introduce businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, and gain career-ready skills.

The STEM BEST® Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize future-focused skills for the workplace. The STEM Council’s investment of up to $50,000 for 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. 

The Iowa City Community School District will use its STEM BEST® Program grant to build three greenhouses at each of its three middle schools. The Outdoor Classroom and Greenhouse Program is designed in direct response to the district's growing need for equitable, experiential STEM learning opportunities that prepare all students, particularly students from underrepresented backgrounds, for Iowa's future workforce. As the state continues to experience strong demand for professionals in agriculture, biosciences, environmental science, and sustainable technologies, schools must provide learning experiences that bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application. This program will strengthen engagement and achievement in STEM courses through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. It will also expand access and equity in career-connected education and respond to workforce and community needs through sustainability-focused learning.

“This program’s focus on hands-on greenhouse learning and community engagement will provide ICCSD students, grades 6–12, with meaningful opportunities to develop real-world STEM skills, explore agricultural and environmental career pathways, and build confidence as learners and leaders,” said Danielle Riney, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator. “Through this work, ICCSD is excited to continue our commitment to advancing equity, access, and inclusion in STEM education across the district by ensuring every student can participate in authentic, applied learning experiences.”

To be considered for a STEM BEST® 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® Program, please visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/BEST.