DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says six Iowa universities and colleges will be home to centers that will promote teaching science, technology, engineering and math to students no matter where they live. Branstad says lack of equal opportunity for such programs to all students is hurting the state’s ability to retain and attract businesses needing highly skilled workers. He says test scores show Iowa students have fallen behind in math and science education.
 
The centers called STEM hubs will be located at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, Southwestern Community College in Creston, and Drake University. The University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College work together to form the sixth. Funding for the offices is included in an education budget bill pending in the Legislature.