S4 E4: Jan Morrison

On this episode of STEM Essential, Jeff Weld speaks with Jan Morrison founder and senior partner TIES (Teaching Institute of Excellence in STEM) and co-designer of the STEM Learning Ecosystem Initiative of the STEM Funders Network, of which Iowa is part.

2:13 Morrison discusses her history with STEM, starting with her parents. Her father was a practicing physician and her mother was a part of the Manhattan Project. Her family's passion for STEM lives on through her work. 

3:56 Morrison examines how STEM works as an transdiciplinary glue, putting individual subjects into perspective. 

5:45 Morrison reflects on how the emergence of STEM as a concept allows the transdiciplinary character of life to enter the classroom and prepare students for life after graduation. 

7:13 Morrison speaks about her experience as an early adopter of STEM as a critical part of education. 

8:08 Morrison reflects on the move from the original acronym (SMET) to STEM, as well as how the field became a respected, understood concept.

10:23 Morrison and Weld examines how the STEM field has evolved over the ten years since she helped launch STEM in Iowa. 

16:19 Morrison discusses the strength of the connection between STEM education and the future workforce in Iowa.  

18:23 Morrison highlights where early childhood STEM is in Iowa and where it could be.

20:50 Morrison touches on how the pandemic gave families additional insight and perspective into the importance of STEM education. 

22:44 Morrison discusses the importance of keeping STEM a priority and cultural leader in schools and communities and how it can be done.

26:18 Morrison highlights how Tulsa, Oklahoma has integrated STEM into their community and what other initiatives can learn from them.

28:39 Morrison outlines how leadership makes a difference in promoting STEM.

31:39 Morrison offers advice and predictions for the next ten years of STEM in Iowa.