Elementary STEM Expo
The 2024 Elementary STEM Expo for Emerging PK-6 Educators focuses on STEM learning and teaching practices for emerging PreK-6 educators at the elementary level. The event sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa will be held in two locations this year:
- April 13, Cedar Falls, Iowa; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Schindler Education Center, University of Northern Iowa
- April 27, Des Moines, Iowa; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Urban Campus, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
NEW THIS YEAR! STEM Resource & Career Showcase
Engaging, interactive learning
- Pre-conference: Option to see and observe STEM lessons in action in Iowa classrooms, with a virtual option featuring Brenda Kaufmann
- A full day of interactive events focused on STEM for elementary education PreK-6 pre-service teachers and interested faculty
- STEM teacher panel, OpenSciEd immersion experience, hands-on activities
- Gallery walk of STEM happenings in Iowa's elementary classrooms
- Networking opportunities with elementary faculty from across the state
Fun prizes, a mobile game, QR codes raffles and more!
- Continental breakfast and taco bar for lunch
Resource Showcase
- Hear from representatives of Iowa's elementary STEM resources with brief presentations during the provided lunch
When & where:
Cedar Falls
April 13, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa, Schindler Education Center
When & where:
Des Moines
April 27, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Urban Campus, Des Moines Area Community College
who should attend:
This conference is open to all pre-service teacher education students at colleges and universities across Iowa, as well as interested faculty.
featured speaker:
Brenda Kaufmann
Brenda Kaufmann, a second grade teacher at North Tama County Community School District and an adjunct instructor for science and math education with the College of Education's Department of Curriculum and Instruction, will be a featured guest at this year's Elementary STEM Expo for Emerging Educators (PreK-6). She will participate on a teacher's panel and breakout sessions as part of the day-long immersion bridging elementary education and STEM education.
Kaufmann was a finalist in the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year recognition by the Iowa Department of Education and is also a finalist for the 2024 Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She is also a PBIS coach, the PK-6 STEM coordinator and model teacher for North Tama. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in elementary education and a master's degree from University of Northern Iowa in early childhood education.
Kaufmann is skilled in STEM education, integrative STEM/literacy, inquiry and the ASSIST approach in science teaching, PBIS implementation in the classroom, building a positive classroom environment and the impact of the physical classroom environment on student learning. She is an experienced presenter at the local, state, and national level about STEM in the classroom. She is the author of three books integrating math and literacy. A member of the Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design, she has provided professional development for teachers across the state.
For those without easy local access to the Friday classroom observation option, Kaufmann is offering a “Live from the Classroom” virtual observation. She will teach a STEM lesson with her second graders that participants can observe via Zoom remotely while Atwood-Blaine fields questions.
Observation Sites:
Expo At-A-Glance
Schedule is the same for both sessions April 13 in Cedar Falls and April 27 in Des Moines
Tentative Schedule
Friday, April 12 or Friday, April 26
Pre-Conference: Observe STEM classrooms across Iowa
Saturday Schedule (April 13 or April 27)
8:30 - 9 a.m. -- Registration
Pick up and begin your digital passport
Continental breakfast
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. -- Morning Sessions
Browsing the Iowa PreK-6 STEM Teaching & Learning Gallery
Coordinator: Beth Van Meeteren, UNI, and Director, Iowa Regents' Center for Early Development Education
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Teacher Panel (from Observations & Learning Gallery)
Featured guest: Brenda Kaufmann, Elementary Teacher, North Tama Elementary
(Responding to student questions submitted via Google Form in advance)
10:15 - 11: 45 a.m.
Open SciEd Immersion Experience
Simulated STEM classrooms, one for PreK-2 and one for grades 3-5)
11:45 to 1 p.m. -- Lunch
Includes 3- to 5-minute presentations from representatives of Iowa's elementary STEM resources
1 to 1:30 p.m.
Elementary STEM Resource & Career Showcase
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. -- Afternoon Breakout Sessions
(for Lower PreK-2 and upper grades 3-6)
2:30 to 3 p.m. -- Wrap Up
Results of game, raffle
For more information, contact Dana Atwood-Blaine, dana.atwood-blaine@uni.edu, 319-273-2073.