Workplace Host

The STEM Teacher Externship Program offers a unique opportunity for Iowa organizations and businesses to host a K-12 teacher for five to six weeks during the summer, benefiting from their expertise and fresh perspectives. 

Why Host a Teacher Extern

  • Build your future workforce
  • Help shape how students understand your industry and the skills they need to succeed.
  • Gain a fresh perspective
  • Teachers bring new ideas and can help translate your work into clear, engaging learning experiences.
  • Strengthen community connections
  • Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to education and local workforce development.
  • Support career awareness
  • Your partnership helps students see real-world applications of what they’re learning in school.
  • Engage your team
  • Employees can mentor externs, building leadership and communication skills.
  • Low time commitment, high impact
  • Externships are short-term and flexible, designed to fit your organization’s schedule.

What Hosting Looks Like

  • Partner with a teacher for a 5–6 week summer experience
  • Collaborate on meaningful, real-world projects
  • Provide exposure to day-to-day operations and careers
  • Offer a flexible schedule that works for your team

Participants emphasize the importance of the externs’ contributions. 

  • According to Joy Bolar, Senior Research Manager at Corteva Agriscience, “Mostly it is about advocacy. Teachers can go back with the knowledge they have gained to train our next generation of problem solvers. Making them understand that they have a world-class facility in their neighborhood for future careers opportunities. This is priceless.”
  • Similarly, Samantha Dahlby, Director of K-12 Education at NewBoCo, notes, “Outside perspectives are always appreciated, and some of these projects would not have happened or happened in as timely of a manner if we did not have an extern.”
  • Lori Eberhard, Park Manager at George Wyth State Park, adds, “We are so thankful for having an extern at George Wyth. They have been able to take on some of the small projects that become big projects and get them completed. This is such a great program, and it is helping us get information into the schools with a direct connection which has been hard to do.” 

For more information or to complete an interest form for the 2026 STEM Teacher Externships Program, visit Iowa STEM Teacher Externships. A

Are you a business or organization interested in hosting a teacher extern, or just want to know more about the teacher externship program? Click on the button below to complete a Workplace Host Interest Form.

‌Workplace Host Interest Form