Iowa State Engineering Outreach

This past weekend, we were able to help kickoff the 2026-2027 BIOGLOW Season with some FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge teams at the 12th Annual Quad Cities FIRST LEGO League Challenge Kickoff at the Putnam Museum and Science Center!

Thank you to the Putnam Museum, FTC and FRC teams for leading breakout sessions and bringing displays to share, Quad City Engineering and Science Council for planning the event, and the event staff and volunteers!

We can't wait to see what you create, build, program and discover during BIOGLOW™ and we hope this weekend was a helpful and inspiring start to your season!

Registration for this upcoming Iowa Science Olympiad season is now open! For more information regarding the season and how to register click here: https://go.iastate.edu/PBRYR8

Do you have LEGO Legacy Equipment not being used? Would you like to donate/sell to teams ready to compete in the BIOGLOW season?

Are you an Iowa FIRST LEGO League team in need of equipment?

Please fill out this form: https://go.iastate.edu/DGSC9W

Help us in our efforts to connect teams with equipment needs with those donating/selling equipment.

Iowa FIRST LEGO League Event Registration opened Friday, August 14th for Challenge Qualifiers and Explore Expos. As a reminder, teams must be registered with FIRST to receive the registration link. If you have registered for the BIOGLOW season, please check your email.

Check out our website to see the list of Qualifiers and Expos: https://go.iastate.edu/EJITOW

Excited for the season! Let us know what you are looking forward to the most. 🌎🌲🐞

Today’s the day! 📣 The season materials will be available today at 12pm ET! Visit the Game & Season page so you don’t miss any of the excitement: https://hubs.ly/Q04nM24s0

(Free) Professional Development Opportunity for STEM Teachers!

Applications are now open for the ASM Materials Camp®-Teachers at Iowa State University, taking place July 27–31, 2026, in Ames, Iowa. Earn 4 CEUs for FREE!

This nationally recognized professional development program is offered at no cost to participants, including a $200 travel stipend (for teachers who live more than 40 miles from Iowa State University).

During this week-long experience, educators will explore the fascinating world of materials science and engineering through hands-on, classroom-ready activities that connect STEM concepts to real-world applications.

Why participate?
🔹 FREE professional development (a $1,250 value)
🔹 $200 travel assistance for participants living more than 40 miles from Ames
🔹 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
🔹 Option to earn 2 graduate credits
🔹 NGSS-aligned curriculum
🔹 Demonstration materials provided
🔹 Networking with fellow STEM educators, researchers, and engineering professionals

Materials science is the foundation of innovations in advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, electronics, and healthcare. By empowering teachers with engaging experiments and practical resources, ASM Materials Camp helps bring STEM to life in the classroom and inspires the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Please share this opportunity with teachers, school districts, and STEM education networks throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

📎 See the attached flyer for full details
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.asmfoundation.org/teachers/materials-camps/year-one/

With the announcement of the 2027 Science Olympiad Season Iowa State Engineering Outreach is excited to share that the Iowa State Tournament will be...
April 10th, 2027!
We hope to see you there!

Hello, new season! 👋 The 2027 event slate is here - check out the events rotating in this fall.

FIRST LEGO League Iowa is excited to share the 2026-27 Season theme: BIOGLOW !
This theme focuses on education surrounding biodiversity, nature, and sustainability.
Check out a sneak peak of the new mat and missions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g9kl7xb8nU

ICYMI: We’re using STEM as our tool and nature as inspiration to find new ways to strengthen the connections that protect our shared home. Introducing ! Engineer a thriving planet with FIRST.

Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04f9Qbg0

🌎 FIRST LEGO League BIOGLOW launches August 4, 2026.
🌎 FIRST Tech Challenge BIOBUZZ presented by RTX launches September 12, 2026.
🌎 FIRST Robotics Competition BIOCORE presented by Gene Haas Foundation launches January 9, 2027.

This weekend, FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams 65637-Innobots, 57488-Galaxy Builders, and 52999-ProBots : The Redemption, are representing the state of Iowa in Houston, TX for the World Festival. Good luck to these teams! To keep up with event updates or even watch some moments from the competition live, check out the FIRST Championship Website!

Earlier this month we hosted the 2026 Iowa Science Olympiad State Tournament. This event hosted 15 middle school teams and 25 high school teams from across the state to engage in 50 competition events! Congratulations to all those that participated and we are cheering for those continuing on to compete at the next round! Additionally, we want to extend a large thank you to all volunteers who helped make this day possible! We also want to thank President Cook and Dr. Katie Cook for taking time out of their day to join us and check out some of the events!

Competition results can be found at the ISU Engineering Outreach website: https://www.engineering.iastate.edu/outreach/events/science-olympiad-state-tournament-2/