Charles City science teachers part of state STEM externships program

To The Press

Two Charles City teachers are among a group of 79 educators from across the state participating in the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.

Stephanie Hervol is a science teacher at Charles City High School, and Phoebe Pittman is a science teacher at Charles City Middle School.

The program provides teachers the opportunity to work at a vast array of local workplaces to gain STEM-related work experiences that can be applied in the classroom, said Jan Lockhart, information specialist with the Iowa Department of Education.

Hervol and Pittman will both complete six-week externships with Zoetis Charles City.

They will be assisting with process improvements, training and basic science training. Hervol and Pittman are observing how STEM principles are applied in the facility and determining how these principles can be applied to the classroom.

The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program benefits both the participating teachers and the local workplace hosts, Lockhart said.

Teachers connect their content expertise, along with what is taught in the classroom, to real-world applications, as well as what job skills and knowledge are needed for successful careers. In return externship hosts get significant projects completed by talented and industrious teachers.

“By forging matches in the local community, school-business partnerships can develop and last through the following school year and beyond to enhance the community’s future workforce,” Lockhart said. “This ultimately helps make students more aware of the skills needed for job opportunities right where they live.”

The program is supported this summer through state-appropriated funds and investments by Iowa business, industry and community partners. This year’s contributions from workplace hosts total approximately $141,000 in addition to the STEM Council’s investment.

Since its launch in 2009, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education has organized more than 800 teacher externship experiences throughout the state.