New STEM event hosted by UI Health Care attracts Iowa high school students
Students explore career options in health care during free program
Nearly 100 Iowa high school students attended the first-ever Teens Go STEM event on the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine campus on March 7, exploring health care careers, participating in hands-on medical simulations, and more.
The students traveled to Iowa City from 21 counties in Iowa.
Teens Go STEM was added to the University of Iowa Health Care STEM education programming this year, with the goal of building the pipeline of future health professionals. The new event builds off the annual Kids Go STEM event intended for students in grades six through eight.
Since 2012, UI Health Care STEM education programs have engaged nearly 200,000 students, including many from rural or underrepresented groups in Iowa.
Career sessions highlight Teens Go STEM
At Teens Go STEM, career breakout sessions were offered in eight UI Health Care departments or areas:
- AirCare
- Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation
- DeGowin Blood Center
- Magnetic Resonance Research Facility
- Neuropathology Resource Lab
- Nursing Clinical Education Center
- Radiation Sciences
Other breakout sessions included:
- Medical school admission
- Medical skills with simulated patient program (ICAP)
- Critical issues in health care affecting Iowa
- Wellness panel with medical students
Parents or chaperones attended a session about raising healthy adults and had the opportunity to join their student during their career breakout session.
Nearly 30 University of Iowa students and faculty from a variety of colleges volunteered their time to host breakout sessions.
Inspiring the next generation
Teens Go STEM is just one of the events the UI Health Care STEM education program hosts to engage with Iowa students. Between July 2024 and June 2025 alone, UI Health Care STEM programming reached 24,508 students from 35 Iowa counties, with 37 programs targeting rural or underrepresented groups.
Learn more about UI Health Care’s STEM education programs and opportunities: https://uihealthcare.org/education/ui-health-care-stem-education
