Area teachers take part in Iowa STEM Externships program ...

Three area teachers were among 86 teachers across Iowa that participated in the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program this summer. This program offers teachers the chance to gain hands-on STEM-related work experiences at various local workplaces to help enrich their classroom instruction with real-world applications. Since its launch in 2009, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education has facilitated over 1,000 teacher externships throughout the state.

Emily Neal (pictured in top photo), a science teacher at John R. Mott High School, spent her externship at Decorah Fish Hatchery. During her externship this summer, Neal expanded upon the programming she created last summer to increase engagement at the Decorah Fish Hatchery. Using a web-based scavenger hunt platform called Goosechase, Neal created a series of outdoor interactive scavenger hunts that included information about the Fish Hatchery and the surrounding natural area of the Driftless. Events were held monthly during the summer, where visitors to the Hatchery can participate in new missions and adventures each time.

Anne Friederich (photo at center), a science teacher at John R. Mott High School in Postville, completed her externship at Effigy Mounds National Monument. During her externship, she worked as part of the Biological Technician staff team, assisting with various duties within the field. This included removing invasive plants and identifying native prairie plants. Friederich also worked with Interpretive staff to review the newly revised Junior Scientist booklet for the Heartland Network as well as planning and implementing a Junior Scientist Day.

Sean Singewald (lower photo), also a science teacher at John R. Mott High School, worked as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Team at Sweet Marsh Wildlife Management Area. During his time with the DNR, he participated in habitat improvement projects, creation of winter thermal cover, songbird capture and tracking, as well as goose banding and endangered species studies.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program benefits both participating teachers and local workplace hosts. Educators gain practical workplace experience - boosting their understanding of the job skills and knowledge needed for successful careers and enhancing their classroom instruction with career connected learning. Externship hosts benefit from the expertise of talented and industrious teachers, who can contribute significantly to their projects. These partnerships foster lasting school-business relationships that enhance the community’s workforce, making students more aware of local job opportunities and the skills needed to succeed.

This year, the program is supported through state-appropriated funds and investments by Iowa business, industry and community partners and the Iowa Economic Development Authority Grant #21-ARRA-001, Iowa STEM Energy Teacher Externships. This year’s contributions from workplace hosts total approximately $158,000 in addition to the STEM Council’s investment. For more information, contact Jan Lockhart, Communications Manager at jan.lockhart@iowa.gov. Submitted photos.