Iowa STEM Summit 2026: Full Schedule

TBA

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

When students investigate a real 129-acre Mississippi River island donated to their community, alongside scientists, historians, conservation officers, and engineers, they become data scientists, inventors, and civic problem-solvers. In this session, student co-presenters share findings from the Towhead Island Civic Data Science Project, recognized by the Iowa Department of Education, while their teacher unpacks the instructional model behind it. Attendees will leave with a replicable framework for connecting students to authentic community problems, subject matter experts, and real stakeholders, turning bold ideas into measurable community impact.

Presenters

Pamela Joslyn

STEM Educator, Muscatine Community School District

Pamela Joslyn is a Technical Innovation teacher at Susan Clark Junior High School in Muscatine, Iowa, with 33 years of experience designing authentic, community-connected STEM learning. A 2026 Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient, Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, DoD STEM... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

20-Minute

Audience Students, Business/Community
STEM Council Program STEM BEST Program, Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program

TBA

Build It, Map It, Explain It: Hands-On NGSS Learning Across Grade Levels

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

What happens when one grade level's science work becomes another grade level's problem to solve? In this hands-on session, participants will experience a cross-grade NGSS-aligned project in which elementary students design three-dimensional island models, use generative AI to visualize those models as realistic landscapes, and translate them into topographic maps. Participants will investigate how physical, AI-generated, and symbolic representations can each reveal—and sometimes distort—scientific information. To connect to the aerospace theme, participants will also consider how this same modeling progression can extend to planetary science through the visualization and mapping of lunar or Martian landforms. Using student artifacts, assessment data, and classroom examples, we will explore strategies for combining hands-on modeling, responsible AI use, authentic audiences, and cross-curricular learning to increase student engagement and cognitive demand.

Presenters

Maddie Kampf

Elementary Science Teacher & Doctoral Student at Drake, Indianola Community School District & Drake University

Maddie Kampf is a K–5 science educator with Indianola Community School District and a doctoral student in Education at Drake University. She specializes in NGSS-aligned, inquiry-based science instruction that emphasizes student sensemaking, hands-on investigation, and meaningful... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 TBA

50-Minute

Audience Elementary Educators
STEM Council Program Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program

Iowa STEM Summit 2026

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Iowa STEM Summit 2026

TBA

Pamela Joslyn

TBA

Maddie Kampf

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