IMSC provides the structure to focus on the following objectives:

1. To provide a forum for the coordination, exchange, and distribution of information pertaining to mathematics and science.
2. To develop sustained responses to state needs in mathematics and science education.
3. To increase public understanding of the rapidly changing mission and character of mathematics and science.
4. To conduct local activities that support teachers and schools as they develop programs to increase science and mathematics awareness.

2006 Highlights

• IMSC continues to support two school districts: Sioux Central Schools and Sioux City Middle Schools. Support includes NES coordinating Council meetings, attendance at the NES Sustainability Conference, and facilitation of professional development opportunity for NES School Teams.
• IMSC continues to implement and support the Summit Action Plan to include reserving funds, the providing of core career opportunity services through the Iowa Intermediacy Network, legislation, business partnerships, and community partnerships.

Iowa is one of the states featured in the Linking Leaders Community for Change Book. Click the image to go to the Linking Leaders book main page and learn more about Iowa's Linking Leaders program activities.

NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP): The NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP) provides assistance to state based organizations with planning, developing, administering, implementing, following-up and sustaining state mathematics and science education summits. NSSIP grants have been awarded to seven states in April 2005 through funding provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Additional support is provided through a separate grant from the U.S. Department of Education. At least two more solicitations are expected. Iowa held its state STEM education summit November 10-11, 2005. The astronaut Catherine Coleman was a featured speaker at the Iowa Summit on Mathematics, Science and Technology. The summit drew education, business and legislative leaders to Des Moines for a two-day planning session on how to better prepare students for careers in those fields. American culture has accepted poor math performance for too long, said John Duea, director of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition. "Students won't say they're bad at reading, but it's very common to say they don't like math, or they can't do math, that it's too hard," she said. "That can no longer be an accepted response." Participants broke into groups, and developed a series of proposals for action, including:

• a promotional DVD aimed at stimulating kids' and parents' interest in careers in math, science and technology;
• forming ongoing relationships between workplaces and schools;
• identifying business and grant support for highly qualified teachers and special classroom projects.

NES Partnerships for Sustainability: The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program was launched in 2003 as a pilot to gauge the effectiveness of state-based coalitions working in active collaboration with the NASA Explorer Schools. As part of this pilot funding was awarded to Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition (IMSC) in partnership with Sioux Central Middle School, to support, promote, and sustain the NASA Explorer Schools within Iowa.

Linking Leaders: In Des Moines, IA on April 12, 2001 The Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition convened a group of thirty five state leaders representing business, education and public policy. The group met to assess math, science and technology education in Iowa. Business representation included the Iowa Business Council, Qwest, and the Director of Foundations for Rockwell Collins Aviation. IMSC meetings are designed to produce assigned ac1tion items.

IMSC used the ECS/NASSMC Matrix to share perceptions of Iowa's current state of development toward a standards-based system. The group also identified organizations, institutions and individuals who might take leadership roles in the coalition. Participants assessed and discussed critical elements of Iowa's system of mathematics and science education and identified key individuals and institutions to take on these areas.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has challenged IMSC to help develop a new education system in Iowa, particularly in science and mathematics, in order to meet the critical demands of Iowa's changing economy and shrinking workforce. The Governor pointed to a predicted workforce shortfall in the next five years and warned that Iowa must act now to address this problem. He urged a systemic approach to state economic development coupled with a simultaneous effort at systemic improvement of Iowa's schools. He praised NASA for its leadership through the Linking Leaders program. The Iowa Mathematics and Science Coalition applied for and received an Implementation Grant Award from NASSMC in 2002.