A YouTube video promoting Iowa Governor Terry Branstad's STEM initiative features 2015 Northwestern College graduate Tyler Robyn. Robyn participated in a teaching externship at a machine shop which helped him better understand how math applies in the real world and equip him to explain concepts to his students. As a member of the governor's STEM Advisory Council, Robyn hopes externships can raise awareness of STEM careers and their importance to the state's workforce and economy.

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Public Relations Office • Duane Beeson, Director
101 7th St. SW • Orange City, IA 51041
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NORTHWESTERN ALUM FEATURED 9-11-15
IN VIDEO ABOUT GOVERNOR’S STEM INITATIVE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—A YouTube video promoting Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Advisory Council initiatives features 2015 Northwestern College
graduate Tyler Robyn. Robyn participated in an externship experience at Rosenboom Machine and Tool Inc. in
Sheldon. Now an eighth grade math teacher with the Rock Valley Public Schools, he believes the externship has
better equipped him professionally, both in his teaching and lesson planning.
“Working at a machine shop helped me see how math is used in different ways,” Robyn said. “I feel
more prepared because I can also better explain when we are going to use the material that the students are
learning.”
Robyn cites a number of creative approaches to teaching he learned as another benefit of his externship.
He recognizes that not all students attend college after high school, so he is now able to describe the kinds of
STEM jobs that might be available to students interested in entering the workforce as skilled laborers.
Branstad’s STEM Advisory Council is comprised of 47 educational and governmental leaders in Iowa
seeking to attract students and young professionals into science, technology, engineering and mathematics-
related fields. Teacher externships similar to the one in which Robyn participated expose teachers and students
to real-life experiences in STEM industries.
“The hope of the STEM program is that through externships we can share our experiences and raise
awareness of the need for STEM subjects and concepts in the workforce,” Robyn said. “STEM-related jobs are
the backbone of our workforce and economy, so it is important that students are interested and want to go into
STEM-related fields of work.”
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