DES MOINES – Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will continue a series of town hall meetings across Iowa about the importance of giving students a first-rate education in science, technology, engineering and math. Reynolds is co-chair of the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council along with Mary Andringa, Vermeer Corp. CEO. The Council’s overarching goal is raising student interest and achievement in STEM and building a stronger STEM workforce pipeline.
The town halls will update Iowans on the progress being made by the Council, showcase student STEM presentations and seek feedback from community members about how the Council should set STEM priorities moving forward. Gov. Terry Branstad, Mary Andringa and local business leaders will join Reynolds at select town halls.
“Having the opportunity to engage with the students, parents, educators and business leaders who are directly impacted by the Council’s work is extremely rewarding and eye-opening,” explained Reynolds. “Each of the town hall stops so far in Mount Pleasant, Marshalltown and Spencer have provided us a look at the successes and opportunities for further growth in the future and I look forward to doing the same in Pella, Corning and Reinbeck.”
“We want to hear feedback on the progress the Governor’s STEM Council has made over the past two years, and the priorities we should set as we look ahead,” said Andringa. “The STEM town halls are a way to engage communities in conversation about the value of STEM education and STEM economic development.”
The public is welcome at the following STEM town hall events:
Monday, May 5, 2014
1:30 p.m. Lt. Gov. Reynolds, STEM Co-Chair Mary Andringa, and Myron R. Linn, Manager of Government Affairs, Pella Corporation, hold South Central Region STEM Town Hall
Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall, Graham Conference Center
Central College
812 University Street
Pella, IA
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
1:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Chris Russell, Data Center Operations Manager for Google in Council Bluffs, hold Southwest STEM Town Hall
Corning High School Gymnasium
904 8th Street
Corning, IA
Thursday, May 8, 2014
2 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Cork Peterson, Co-owner and Vice President, Peterson Contractors Inc. hold Northeast STEM Town Hall
Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School Gymnasium
600 Blackhawk Street
Reinbeck, IA
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About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
Established in July 2011 by executive order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership focused on increasing student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and promoting STEM economic development. The Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready path, regain our state’s historic leadership position in education, and provide a vital competitive economic advantage. The 45-member Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Vermeer Corp. CEO Mary Andringa. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.
