Press Release STEM Enhancement Grant

Creston Community Schools to enhance school and business collaboration with STEM Council Support 

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education is directing additional support to Creston's STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program through the STEM BEST® Program enhancement award. The funds will help enhance work-based learning opportunities made available through school and business partnerships during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Panther Perk will be a student-run coffee shop for our School to Work middle school students, providing a real-world experience in business, customer service, and teamwork. The Student Support Squad students will help run daily operations, public relations, and manage orders. The program will strengthen school culture, build leadership skills, and provide hands-on learning in a safe, supervised school-work environment. Panther Perk will help students gain confidence, responsibility, and practical workplace skills while serving the school community. 

Through the STEM BEST® Program, students and teachers work closely with local workplaces and professionals to introduce and prepare learners for future success in their communities. By helping schools identify and anticipate local workforce needs in collaboration with business professionals, the STEM BEST® Program strengthens Iowa’s future workforce through the development and expansion of work-based learning and career exploration opportunities. The STEM BEST® Program enhancement award supports previously awarded STEM BEST® Programs that demonstrate evidence of how the funds would enrich or expand current STEM BEST® Programs, strengthen partnerships and/or enhance experiences for students. 

Recipients of the 2025-2026 STEM BEST Program Enhancement Fund include: 
Allamakee Community School District 
Boone Community School District 
Creston Community School District 
Easton Valley Community School District 
Holy Family Catholic Schools-Dubuque 
IKM Manning High School 
Iowa City Community School District 
Pleasant Valley Community School District 
Waverly Community School District 
Woodbine Community School District