The Des Moines Independent Community School District has been awarded a $25,000 STEM BEST grant from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The Des Moines project, as well as a STEM project by St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines, is among 13 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) projects selected this year across Iowa. The program, which has now backed 50 projects since 2014, fosters a learning environment where students are able to participate in real workplace projects designed by business professionals and teachers, and apply K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics to skills, knowledge and behaviors needed for STEM careers. Participating companies provide at least 50 percent in matching funds. In the Des Moines schools’ project, students will work with Des Moines University and Kemin Industries representatives to build a business model aimed at enhancing anatomy instruction through the development and sale of 3D-printed models of the mammalian brain. To see a full list of award recipients, click here.