2027 Iowa STEM Teacher Award

PLEASE NOTE THE YOU MUST BE NOMINATED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. Applications without a nomination will not be considered.

Congratulations! You’ve been nominated by someone who thinks you are an outstanding teacher for the 2027 Iowa STEM Teacher Award from the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council. We understand the importance of what you do and look forward to honoring one teacher from each of the six STEM regions with a monetary award  for their classroom, and a second award for personal use! Please take the time to fill out this application by Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. so we can learn more about you, your teaching background and your passion for STEM. 

Eligible nominees include licensed, full-time, PK-12 Iowa teachers who incorporate science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and related disciplines in public or non-public school classrooms. For this award, a full-time teacher is defined as an educator who spends at least 75% of their working hours (approximately 30 hours, minimum) in the classroom – both virtually and in-person – interacting with students. Applications from previous award recipients, as well as self-nominations will not be accepted. 

If you completed an application for last year’s award but were not selected, we encourage you to complete an application for this year’s award. If you would like to reference your previous application and do not have a saved copy, please contact info@iowastem.org. 

If you were nominated more than once, all nominations will be considered as part of your application. 

Application Steps: 

Please fill out your contact information, provide requested references, and list your education history and employment history. 

After your basic information, you will find five essay questions. Each one covers a different aspect of your classroom and may not exceed 1,000 characters. Use this space to explain how the concepts outlined in each question are used in your curriculum. 

AI Appropriate Usage: Applicants using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the application writing process should not rely on generative AI to fully produce or fabricate their applications. If AI tools are used, original narration and proper attribution must be provided. Example: (OpenAI, 2025)

Finally, you may submit supporting documents to go with your application, if you wish. These may include photos or a video web link from your classroom, curriculum plans for specific projects or any other file that you believe demonstrates how you share STEM with your students. You may submit the following file types: PDF, mp4, YouTube link or Vimeo link. Please limit submissions to three pages. Supporting documents are not required but highly suggested. 

To make the application process easier, we recommend you download the application and complete it there for your own records. Then you must submit in Iowa Grants. 

If you are chosen as the STEM Teacher Awardee for your region you will be honored at STEM Day at the Capitol on February 23, 2027. Please mark this date on your calendar.

If you have questions, please contact info@iowastem.org. 

Applications are due Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. No extensions will be granted. 

It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 – 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.). 

If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, Telephone: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.