Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds named a collaboration of the Pella Community School District, of which Central College also is a partner, a new STEM BEST Program partner. The program, the Partnership for Excellent Educational Resources for STEM (PEERS), received one of 12 statewide STEM BEST awards administered by the governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advisory Council.

PEERS introduces young students to area careers by bringing experts in local occupations to the classroom experience. The guests are engaged by teachers to share with students through interactive activities and knowledge related to the work they do every day. PEERS has been providing visibility to engineering careers, with expertise from Pella Corporation, Vermeer Corporation and 3M. Due to STEM BEST support, PEERS is now positioned to expand the featured occupations, as well as employer and school partnerships.

To be considered for a STEM BEST Program partner, Director of K-12 Instruction at Pella Lowell Ernst says applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that included thorough and relevant STEM curriculum, valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, real-world learning opportunities and expertise at the post-secondary education and training level. Awardees will serve as models to share unique perspectives, strengths, demographics and program focus with other schools throughout Iowa.

“The PEERS program provides a launch point for students into a lifelong learning continuum, in support of their career goals,” said Ernst. “That continuum is being developed by a Regional Talent Pipeline initiative, to provide pathways for students into successful and fulfilling careers. This is a unique time to leverage all our resources to benefit local students, schools and employers, as well as the economy of Iowa.”