IMSEP’s Real World Externships: Sustainable Business-Teacher Collaborations

(Monday, July 11, 2011) CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – “When will I ever use this?” is a phrase teachers hear from students every year. Now, fifty (50) Iowa middle and high schoolmathematics, technology and science teachers will have ready answers gained from their experiences in the business world this summer as part of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership’s (IMSEP)Real World Externships for Teachers of Mathematics, Science and Technology program.

The Real World Externship Program matches mathematics, technology and science teachers from across Iowa with area businesses and agencies, allowing teachers first-hand knowledge in how math and science are used daily in the working world. A desired outcome of the program is to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related courses, producing not only more mathematics and science teachers for Iowa’s classrooms, but a well-rounded, math-and-science savvy workforce. Preliminary results indicate teacher participants are rethinking their teaching strategies, while private sector hosts enjoy new talent and productivity within their organizations.

“This experience builds a bridge between schools and businesses and allows these organizations to show teachers the types of skills they are looking for from students who may eventually become that company’s future employees,” said IMSEP’s Externship Program Supervisor Jason Lang. “We began this program in the summer of 2009 with 10 teachers, and it has grown quickly. We’ve had 85 different mathematics, science and technology teachers go through the program, engaging thousands of school children around the state with stories about the cool ways math and science are used in the real world.” 

Participating businesses and agencies are just as enthusiastic about the program. “Hy-Vee has had a wonderful experience with this program,” said Cindy Hoch, director of retail applications training at the corporate office. “We love working with the teachers. They bring a lot to the table….and we have changed the way we do training based on what we’ve learned from them.”

Thanks to funding from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for over $1 million over three years, IMSEP will match 50 teachers with businesses and agencies for the next two summers. And, if positive evaluations continue, the Real World Externships program may qualify as a national project to be rolled out in states looking for ways to allow their teachers to experience real-world applications of STEM skills in real world businesses.

Iowa businesses participating in the 2011 the Real World Externship program include: Appanoose Davis Lucas Monroe (ADLM) Counties Facilities Management Systems – Moravia;Allen Memorial Hospital – Waterloo; Art’s Way Manufacturing – Armstrong; Black Hawk County Conservation Board – Waterloo; Blank Park Zoo – Des Moines; CIVCO Medical Solutions – Kalona;Clipper Windpower – Cedar Rapids; John Deere: Dubuque Works – Dubuque; John Deere: Waterloo Works – Waterloo; Department of Natural Resources (DNR) –  Iowa City and Boone; Diamond Vogel  Paints – Orange City; Ellison Technologies Automation – Council Bluffs; HNI Corporation – Cedar Rapids; Hy-Vee Corporate – West Des Moines; Innovative Lighting, Inc. – Roland; International Automotive Components – Iowa City; Kemin Industries – Des Moines; Keystone Electric Manufacturing – Des Moines; Legacy Building Company, LLC – Orange City; Monsanto –  Ankeny & Muscatine; Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Poweshiek County – Malcom; Pella Corporation – Pella; PepsiCo-Quaker Oats – Cedar Rapids; POET Bio Refiner – Emmetsburg; Principal Financial Group – Des Moines; Procter & Gamble – Cedar Rapids; Rockwell Collins – Cedar Rapids; State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa – Coralville; Syngenta AG  – Boone; Wendling Quarries, Inc. – Cedar Rapids and Wickiup Hills Outdoor Learning Center – Toddville.

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The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is a state-funded initiative led by the University of Northern Iowa in partnership with Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.
IMSEP’s goals are to improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students; to prepare more high-quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa’s schools; and to promote statewide collaboration and cooperation.
For more information regarding IMSEP, go to www.iowamathscience.org.