The Award recognizes excellence in STEM education in six Iowa regions. The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is proud to announce Sheryl Kennedy, talented, gifted and reading teacher at Camanche Elementary School in Camanche, Iowa, has been named as a recipient of the 2021 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. The award is given to six teachers each year who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Now in its seventh year, the award is given annually to one full-time, licensed teacher from each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. Educators can work with any grade level from preschool to high school. It celebrates innovative teachers who help their students understand science, technology, engineering and mathematics are more than just academic subjects. STEM skills are essential life skills, helping prepare students for jobs of the future.
Over the 17 years she has taught at Camanche Elementary School, Kennedy has carefully connected the lessons in her classroom to the world around her students. Even though the learners are young, she introduces a variety of concepts and STEM careers into the classroom. With Kennedy, students explore STEM concepts through hands-on learning and interactive activities. While learning about birds, STEM students experiment with tools, practice dissection, dive into research and use coding to create presentations.
To help students better understand STEM careers, Kennedy finds professionals in a range of industries to present to her classes. From biomedical engineers to a marine biologist, students have heard from presenters from diverse careers and backgrounds.
Outside of the classroom, Kennedy works to provide access to STEM for learners. During the summer, she hosts free STEM camps with transportation so any interested student can attend.
As a recipient of the 2021 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, Kennedy will receive $1,500 to use for her classroom and $1,500 for personal use. She will also be recognized in a special ceremony later in the year at the Iowa State Fair during STEM Day at the Fair on August 22, 2021.
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About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council
Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa’s educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain our state’s historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 62-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org .
About Kemin Industries
Kemin Industries ( www.kemin.com ) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries. For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products. Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 2,800 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.
