As National GEAR UP Week closes, we recognize four @GEARUP_Iowa students who are better equipped to serve their classmates after attending the GEAR UP Youth Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., this summer. Zoey Cruciani-Worth (@DavSchools), Silas Falk (@ColumbusCsd ), JuKobe Burrage (@DMschools) and Sunny Sorenson (@DMschools) participated in the four-day leadership training where they learned skills and strategies to help them and fellow students navigate their future. They also led presentations about current education issues that impact students in front of 2,000 NCCEP Conference attendees. #GEARUPworks

Attention science educators! Sign up now for the Fall Regional Science Professional Learning Events happening in October. Discover fresh strategies for engaging students and explore effective science practices aligned with the Iowa Academic Standards. tinyurl.com/2779ahbh #ElevateEducatorsIA

Is your school ready to take a bite out of healthy fun! The 2026 Great Apple Crunch is almost here. Register your school or group now to join Iowans statewide in celebrating local apples and nutrition. educate.iowa.gov/headline-st…

Know an outstanding agriculture educator in Iowa? Nominate them for the 2026-27 Golden Owl Award! The Golden Owl honors Iowa's top agriculture educator who is making a difference in agricultural education and shaping the next generation of leaders. Learn more and submit your nomination. educate.iowa.gov/headline-st… #CelebrateTeachersIA

This National GEAR UP Week, revisit how @GEARUP_Iowa students spent a week of their summer exploring exciting pathways to a career in health care. University of Iowa Health Sciences Summer Experience brought GEAR UP Iowa students to campus for an immersive residential experience. tinyurl.com/4byh2sxp #GEARUPworks

Applications are due Nov. 13 for the latest round of the Career Academy Incentive Fund. Community colleges and school districts are invited to partner and apply to help expand access to career academy opportunities. bit.ly/4xvSZud #PostsecondaryPathwaysIA

Here's an exciting opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to design, build and launch an experiment on a NASA-sponsored test flight! The NASA TechRise Student Challenge encourages teams or students to submit their creative ideas for a chance to win $1,500 and receive expert technical advice from NASA TechRise advisors to bring their project to life. Sixty winning teams will be selected for this hands-on challenge that helps students to deepen their understanding of flight vehicles, tackle real-world engineering problems and enjoy a virtual field trip. Applications are due Nov. 2. futureengineers.org/nasatech…

Join us in congratulating these five outstanding Iowa teachers who have been named 2026-27 PE and Health Teachers of the Year by SHAPE Iowa. • Health Teacher of the Year Yvonne Walters, North Central Middle School, Iowa City Community School District • Adapted PE Teacher of the Year Jodi Larson, Ankeny Centennial High School, Ankeny Community School District • High School PE Teacher of the Year Chris Amundson, Ankeny Centennial High School, Ankeny Community School District • Middle School PE Teacher of the Year Katie Hyink, Susan Clark Junior High School, Muscatine Community School District • Elementary PE Teacher of the Year Dennis Gilbertson, Center-Point Urbana Primary and Intermediate Schools, Center Point-Urbana Schools @hpeiowa @iowacityschools @ankenyschools @muscatineschools @CPUSchools

As Iowa’s learners celebrate Iowa Local Food Day, see how Iowa’s school nutrition professionals are using standardized recipes to prepare and serve high-quality meals that fuel students’ learning. tinyurl.com/awex4dm4

It’s Iowa Local Food Day! Schools across the state are celebrating by serving fresh, locally grown meals and highlighting the importance of supporting Iowa farmers. Let’s inspire healthy choices and show our appreciation for local agriculture. Happy Iowa Local Food Day! To learn more about how schools are incorporating locally sourced foods into their menus, visit Iowa Farm to School. tinyurl.com/43ft4ktx

Ten community-based providers have been approved to provide services to young learners through the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) for Four-Year Old Children initiative. These providers join 324 school districts that also offer services through SWVPP to help expand preschool access for Iowa children. bit.ly/4AupSJG

DYK: Iowa offers multiple nontraditional pathways to become a teacher, making it easier for talented individuals to enter the classroom. Learn how these innovative programs can help you strengthen schools across the state and impact future generations of Iowans. tinyurl.com/vavrf5sj #ElevateEducatorsIA

As we celebrate National GEAR UP Week, revisit how @GEARUP_Iowa partners got a head start on their programming for the year during August’s annual kick off event. bit.ly/4hpKEBP #GEARUPworks

If you missed last week's 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year announcement, revisit the day through our photo gallery as Lone Tree Community School's Jessica Howard was named the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year during a surprise assembly at the school. flic.kr/s/aHBqjD51Yi #IATOY2027 #CelebrateTeachersIA

We're excited to celebrate National GEAR UP Week and the impact @GEARUP_Iowa has made in removing barriers to postsecondary education and training by providing students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success. Learn more about how GEAR UP Iowa helps students and their families receive services aimed at preparing them academically, financially and inspirationally to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education and training. bit.ly/3Tfz18c #GEARUPworks

Safe+Sound Iowa is a secure and anonymous tool for students, teachers, parents and communities to report school safety concerns, 24/7. Learn more at safeandsoundiowa.gov

Time is running out! There’s just a few days left to nominate an inspiring teacher who sparks students’ interest in STEM for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award. Don’t miss your chance to recognize the incredible STEM educators making a difference every day. bit.ly/4AzOwJc

It’s National School Backpack Awareness Day! Take a moment to check your child’s backpack to ensure it fits well and isn’t overloaded with unnecessary items. A quick review can help prevent injuries like back pain, sprains and fractures.

The Department has scheduled several professional learning opportunities for early childhood educators and administrators this year. These events will cover a variety of topics, including assessment and data decisions, curriculum and instruction, leadership tips and more. Register today! #ElevateEducatorsIA educate.iowa.gov/headline-st…

Registration is now open for the 2026 Iowa STEM Summit, hosted by @IowaSTEM. Plan to attend for a full day of engaging keynote speakers, over 40 interactive breakout sessions, student features and networking opportunities. Learn more: educate.iowa.gov/headline-st… #IowaSTEMsummit #WhereBoldIdeasTakeFlight