Iowa State Engineering Outreach

(Free) Professional Development Opportunity for STEM Teachers!

Applications are now open for the ASM Materials Camp®-Teachers at Iowa State University, taking place July 27–31, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. Earn 4 CEUs for FREE!

This nationally recognized professional development program is offered at no cost to participants, including a $200 travel stipend (for teachers who live more than 40 miles from Iowa State University).

During this week-long experience, educators will explore the fascinating world of materials science and engineering through hands-on, classroom-ready activities that connect STEM concepts to real-world applications.

Why participate?
🔹 FREE professional development (a $1,250 value)
🔹 $200 travel assistance for participants living more than 40 miles from Ames
🔹 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
🔹 Option to earn 2 graduate credits
🔹 NGSS-aligned curriculum
🔹 Demonstration materials provided
🔹 Networking with fellow STEM educators, researchers, and engineering professionals

Materials science is the foundation of innovations in advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, electronics, and healthcare. By empowering teachers with engaging experiments and practical resources, ASM Materials Camp helps bring STEM to life in the classroom and inspires the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Please share this opportunity with teachers, school districts, and STEM education networks throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

📎 See the attached flyer for full details
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.asmfoundation.org/teachers/materials-camps/year-one/

With the announcement of the 2027 Science Olympiad Season Iowa State Engineering Outreach is excited to share that the Iowa State Tournament will be...
April 10th, 2027!
We hope to see you there!

Hello, new season! 👋 The 2027 event slate is here - check out the events rotating in this fall.

FIRST LEGO League Iowa is excited to share the 2026-27 Season theme: BIOGLOW !
This theme focuses on education surrounding biodiversity, nature, and sustainability.
Check out a sneak peak of the new mat and missions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g9kl7xb8nU

ICYMI: We’re using STEM as our tool and nature as inspiration to find new ways to strengthen the connections that protect our shared home. Introducing ! Engineer a thriving planet with FIRST.

Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04f9Qbg0

🌎 FIRST LEGO League BIOGLOW launches August 4, 2026.
🌎 FIRST Tech Challenge BIOBUZZ presented by RTX launches September 12, 2026.
🌎 FIRST Robotics Competition BIOCORE presented by Gene Haas Foundation launches January 9, 2027.

This weekend, FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams 65637-Innobots, 57488-Galaxy Builders, and 52999-ProBots : The Redemption, are representing the state of Iowa in Houston, TX for the World Festival. Good luck to these teams! To keep up with event updates or even watch some moments from the competition live, check out the FIRST Championship Website!

Earlier this month we hosted the 2026 Iowa Science Olympiad State Tournament. This event hosted 15 middle school teams and 25 high school teams from across the state to engage in 50 competition events! Congratulations to all those that participated and we are cheering for those continuing on to compete at the next round! Additionally, we want to extend a large thank you to all volunteers who helped make this day possible! We also want to thank President Cook and Dr. Katie Cook for taking time out of their day to join us and check out some of the events!

Competition results can be found at the ISU Engineering Outreach website: https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/outreach/events/science-olympiad-state-tournament-2/

April is Global Volunteer Month! We would like to recognize and thank all those who have ever supported and volunteered at a Iowa FIRST LEGO League or Science Olympiad Event!
Looking to join this group of awesome people? Volunteer for the Science Olympiad State Tournament NEXT SATURDAY, April 11th by clicking this link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c8b962ad578b9951470f7ed0da4ad?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ3yEJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWSU9TcmtLTTRZVEpLYTJPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEeIOGn2fOCMY254ojfVOysk-AX6vnB2-lUrl-72EtMREvgp7czzCNAeLuV2tU_aem_kDqx-3BdUpWdF5uRURy2hA

The Iowa State Science Olympiad Tournament wants YOU to volunteer for the competition April 11th, 2026.
Science Olympiad is nationwide competition in which challenges students in standards-based events that include earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Science Olympiad is designed to increase a student’s interest in STEM fields and provide recognition for outstanding achievement in team events. Middle school students (grades 6-9) compete in Division B and high school students compete in Division C (grades 9-12).
Scan the QR code or fill out the volunteer form with he link below to help us inspire the next generation of Cyclone Engineers and Innovators!
Link to sign up: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c8b962ad578b9951470f7ed0da4ad

This past weekend was the 2025 – 2026 UNEARTHED Iowa FIRST LEGO League Challenge State Championship and Explore Ames Expo. Congratulations to each of the 61 Challenge teams and the 19 Explore teams, and good luck to our invitational advancers that have been invited to represent Iowa in further events! We would also like to thank all volunteers that helped make this event possible! Take a look at the award winners for these events on our website, https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/outreach/events/2026-first-lego-league-state-championship/

Meet our 2025–2026 Outreach Team! We’re geared up and ready to make this year unforgettable ⚙️💡

♦️ Yamille Pérez is the Outreach and Talent Development Manager for the College of Engineering. She has been in this role for over three years and has worked in youth STEM programs for more than six. Outside of ISU, Yamille loves to travel and spend time crafting or DIY-ing.

♦️ Nicholas Scott is the Outreach Programs Specialist for the College of Engineering. He joined our team in January 2025! Nicholas lived in Wyoming for two years before moving back to Iowa.

♦️ Riley Anderson is our Outreach Programs Graduate Assistant supporting FIRST LEGO League. She is currently pursuing her M.Ed. in Student Affairs, and this is her final year as a GA! Outside of ISU, Riley enjoys traveling and spending time with her Aussie-Lab mix, Boyd.

♦️ Ernest Asare-Aboagye, an international student from Ghana, is our Outreach Program Graduate Assistant supporting Science Olympiad. He’s currently pursuing his M.Ed. in Student Affairs and is excited to begin his first year as a GA! Fun fact: Ernest is the youngest in his family.

We look forward to delivering impactful STEM programs for Iowa youth this year!

Registration is open for Iowa FIRST LEGO League Challenge Qualifiers and Explore Expos. Teams registered in the FIRST Dashboard will receive the link to register in a Welcome email.