IMSEP to Host Iowa Moms Night Out for STEM Events

Nineteen sites across Iowa will hold events on October 18

The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) will be hosting Moms Night Out for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), a satellite event for the first USA Science and Engineering Festival, at 19 sites around the state on October 18, 2010.

Moms Night Out for STEM was a brainstorm by IMSEP and the Iowa State Engineering College to inspire primary caretakers, particularly moms, to get 'hands on' with their children's math and science education. The premiere sponsor of this Iowa satellite event is John Deere.

Recent studies have indicated that primary caregivers help to shape the aptitudes and attitudes of their children toward mathematics and science. "Evidence continues to mount that point to moms (and dads) as key to the attitudes and decisions of youth when it comes to STEM careers," says Jeff Weld, Director of IMSEP. "This satellite event in conjunction with the USA Science and Engineering Festival puts moms and dads right in the middle of the mix."

Putting them in the middle of the mix will help to target those caregivers by giving them ways to educate their kids, kindergarten through sixth grade, in order to make math and science more fun and less daunting. Moms Night Out for STEM will feature hands on experiences with local teachers and researchers to show how math and science can be fun. It will also include items for parents to take home and use with their children.

"Iowa's Moms Night Out satellite event is one of the most unique of the 50 events we're doing," says Larry Bock, Executive Director of the USA Science and Engineering Festival. "In Washington (D.C.), we focus so much on the kids, but if parents aren't involved we lose so much. We can really learn a lot from what Iowa's doing with Moms Night Out for STEM."

Iowa Moms Night Out's satellite event is part of others thrown across the nation in celebration of the first USA Science and Engineering Festival, to be held in Washington D.C. on October 23-24, 2010. Iowa is the only state attempting to do multiple events on one night. Locations around the state include museums, schools and libraries where moms can go to socialize and learn the best ways to inspire a love of math and science to their children.

This free event is open to the public at various locations October 18, 2010, from 7-8:30 pm. To register for the event nearest you, visit www.iowamathscience.org. Also check for Moms Night Out for STEM on Facebook to connect with others attending.

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, please contact the IMSEP offices at (319) 273-2716 or imsep@iowamathscience.org.