Future Ready Network
Heartland Area Education Agency
Thank you for your interest in engaging with Future Ready Iowa resources to improve students' postsecondary outcomes. This site will be used as a landing place for information and resources around our Future Ready Network.
Upcoming Events/Opportunities
For more information: https://iowastem.org/externships
City of Ames - Electrical Services
John Deere Paton
Midland Power Cooperative
POET
John Deere Des Moines Works
Pella Corporation
Polk County Conservation
And More!
Iowa STEM Teacher Externships are full-time, six-week temporary summer positions in local businesses and agencies for licensed, secondary teachers of mathematics, science and/or technology. STEM Teachers earn a stipend of up to $5,000 (including two paid professional development days), as well as three graduate credits through the University of Northern Iowa’s Continuing Education program.
Teaching for the Workforce 2024: DSM Metro Registration
DATES: June 17 & 18 | TIME: 8 am - 4 pm
WHERE: Greater Des Moines Partnership & various locations around DSM Metro
OPTIONS:
Workshop Only = FREE (must register here)
Workshop + One License Renewal Credit = $35 (must register here and through AEA)
The Greater Des Moines Partnership and DMACC Work Based Learning are delighted to partner for a unique professional development learning experience for secondary educators in and around the Des Moines Metro region. The workshop will be held at the Greater Des Moines Partnership and various downtown DSM businesses. This interactive two-day course allows educators, counselors, and administrators to connect to local business to better understand workforce needs.
Please only register if you are able to attend the full two-days. Upon completion, educators will receive one license renewal credit, if desired. Register through the AEA if credit is desired.
Presented by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education, the Summit brings together Iowans from education, business and industry, nonprofits, trade organizations, professional societies, governmental agencies, elected officials, students and others to amplify the public conversation and set the stage for inspiring networks, making connections and accessing what is possible to establish learning environments that link classroom learning to real-world career opportunities.
Iowa Classrooms+Workplaces Summit 2024
April 10th from 9:30 - 3:30
Registration is required. To register and for more information, go to: https://iowastem.org/2024Summit.
The morning will include a presentation by Code.org Chief Academic Officer Pat Yongpradit on the “Future of Innovation and STEM: CS and AI Education as a Foundation,” as well as a presentation by ExcelinEd Senior Policy Fellow Christy Hovanetz on credentials to careers.
Participants will be in for an inspiring presentation by Kemin Industries over the lunchtime with remarks on the importance of science education in our world today along with the recognition of the six STEM Teacher Awardees for 2024. The STEM Teacher Award has been sponsored by Kemin Industries since 2014.
The afternoon breakout sessions will provide an array of options for career-linked learning toward bright horizons and actionable outcomes.
Build My Future Iowa - April 17th
This year's career pathways include:
Manufacturing
Healthcare/Nursing
Law Enforcement & Emergency Services
Military
Culinary, Restaurant & Hospitality
Agriculture
Commercial & Residential Construction
Heavy Equipment Operators
Trucking/Driver
Automotive
IT & Cybersecurity
Energy
Iowa Authentic Learning Network
Virtual Student EXPO
Registration is now LIVE! Join our FREE event for Iowa Educators, Students, and Area Partners in this one-of-a-kind virtual event on April 25th!
Be inspired and get involved! #ALLIN4Innovation #ALNExpo24
Register today at bit.ly/ALNexpo24
*New FAFSA Toolkit
The Bureau of Iowa College Aid continues to work diligently to understand and communicate the upcoming changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We know these changes will affect various groups, and the messages to these groups will differ.
We ask that you use this FAFSA Simplification Social Media Toolkit to assist Iowa College Aid in communicating these changes statewide. This toolkit offers a schedule, content, and graphics for your organization’s social media platforms and channels. Please pass it along to those responsible for your organization’s social media communications.
Iowa College Aid has also opened a FAFSA textline for the public. This toolkit assists us in promoting that textline to those completing a FAFSA. It is open to opt-in and will stay open through next year to answer any questions regarding the FAFSA.
The more uniform the message we can provide to students and families, the easier it will be for them to complete the FAFSA. We appreciate your willingness to help us provide clear and concise messaging about the upcoming changes. The schedule and content will be updated regularly throughout the fall as we learn more from Federal Student Aid. Please complete this form to receive those updates.
Spring 2024 Career Exploration Events for High School Students!
Visit the Career Exploration Events page for more details and to register students for events this fall!
WBL Contact: Whitney Riggs: wlriggs@dmacc.edu
SAVE THE DATE!
Iowa Work-Based Learning Conference
April 2, 2024
Prairie Meadows Events Center, Altoona, IA
Early Bird: January 5 to February 1, 2024, $200
Regular: February 2 to March 1, $250
Late: March 9 to 22nd, $300
Members of ACTE will receive a $50 discount!
Iowa Educators Get FREE Access With Registration
Teaching Entrepreneurship?
We think you'll love BizInnovator Startup!
BizInnovator Startup is perfect for your entrepreneurship program (classroom, CTSO, after-school), aligned with modern entrepreneurial frameworks: Lean Startup Methodology and Design Thinking.
WHAT WILL YOU GET WHEN YOU REGISTER?
Access to the 2023-24 curriculum
Including new activities and resources built over the summer!
Network with entrepreneurship educators nationwide
INTERESTED IN OFFERING YOUR STUDENTS COLLEGE CREDIT?
Complete the BizInnovator Startup PD and your students can earn 3 transferable credits.
Register Here - For Free!
Authentic Learning is defined as:
Real tasks, where students own the work involving real research, real creation, and ideally, a tangible service or product delivered to a real audience at the completion.
Learn More About Authentic Learning:
What is Authentic Learning?
Embed authentic learning into your curriculum!
Join the Authentic Learning Google Site!
“Students need to see the connection to the work they are doing in the classroom within the context of the community and future post-secondary opportunities.”
The Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning connects students and employers through shared projects that give students professional experience. This can include virtual projects, internships and apprenticeships. Download the
Does your district have a project board manager on the Clearinghouse? If you like to know more about becoming a district project board manager, watch this short video.
If you are interested in becoming a Clearinghouse project board manager for your district, please contact advorak@heartlandaea.org
Several resources have been added to the Department's Work-Based Learning website since January 2022.
Iowa Work-Based Learning Guide (updated)
Two scholarship opportunities are available to maintain high-quality STEM education in Iowa. The Regents Alternative Pathway to Intern Licensure (RAPIL) Scholarship is offered to professionals enrolled in the RAPIL Program who are pursuing an Iowa teaching license in STEM fields. The STEM Latest Information for Teachers (LIfT) Scholarship is available to help current STEM educators gain training and experience in the fast-paced advancements of STEM fields at an Iowa community college or university.
For more information about the RAPIL and STEM LIfT Scholarships, visit www.iowastem.org/scholarships.
Register now for the Iowa College & Career Readiness Academy
Academy courses may be taken for license renewal or graduate credit, or for no credit (free) through AEA Learning Online. All courses have been updated with new content and resources!
New Classes Starting March 2024
101: Foundations in College and Career Readiness in Iowa | Register
201: Creating Iowa’s College and Career Readiness Culture | Register
301: Systems and Optimization |Register
401: Planning the District’s Role a Student Centered Career and Academic Plan | Register
501: An Introduction to Planning, Accessing, and Financing Postsecondary Opportunities | Register
601: Advanced Equity Issues in Planning, Accessing, and Financing Postsecondary Opportunities | Register
602: Supporting College and Career Readiness for Systems Involved Youth | Register
701: College and Career Readiness for School Counselors and Educators | Register
Free Resources from the Iowa Intermediary Network!
Free resources:
Dress for Success Posters (printable) for corporate and non-corporate careers
Connection Lab: Free Career Videos including videos on Employability Skills
Many more resources and links available on the Iowa Intermediary Network website
Connect with your regional Intermediary to learn about work-based learning experiences available in your region