FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2024
Winterset High School Receives STEM BEST® Program Award
WINTERSET, IOWA — The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has named Winterset High School as one of 21 schools receiving the STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) program award.
The program brings together schools and businesses to provide students with real workplace experiences. It helps introduce students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, while also gaining future-focused 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 high-demand skills. The council’s investment of 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 grant will allow WHS to purchase an Anatomage table, which will be used in health science, biology, human body, college biology and genetics, college anatomy and physiology, and CNA classes.
“This table will allow us to involve students in hands-on kinesiology simulation activities and human body dissection activities, and also allow our students to manipulate skeletal, muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular tissue and systems,” said Cam Smith, WHS Principal. “It will change the way we teach and work with anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. Our hope is that we can further our partnerships with local hospitals, colleges, and medical programs to provide our students with experiences in the healthcare field.”
A growing number of publications indicate that using the table improves test scores, leads to more efficient class and lab sessions, and increases student acceptance and engagement.
“The Anatomage table is an amazing piece of equipment to help students be able to actually see, in three dimensions, all the internal organs and systems of the human body, either separately or together,” said Kacia Cain, WHS Science Teacher. “Students are able to interact with the Anatomage table, solve case studies provided by Anatomage, and see the human body at a variety of levels. We are so excited to incorporate the Anatomage table into daily lessons and activities.”
The STEM Council Executive Committee reviewed and approved 21 new or expanded partnerships supported by guidance, collaboration, and financial investment of up to $40,000 each. To be considered, applicants needed to submit a comprehensive proposal. For more on the program, visit www.iowastem.org/STEMBEST.