STEM Stories & News

UNI Good Neighbor Iowa student fellows during a Practical Backyard Tour

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust awards $425,000 to UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education

A multi-year grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust will support student-led environmental health projects.
Treytun Garcia

UNI biology major awarded national Goldwater Scholarship

Although it took him some time to settle on a career path, once UNI student Treytun Garcia committed to science, he hit the ground running.
Solar eclipse in totality

UNI students journey to eclipse totality

10 students in Tom Hockey’s Studies in Eclipses class recently shared the experience of traveling to see a total solar eclipse.
Jesse Wilcox

UNI’s Jesse Wilcox named to National Science Teachers Association board of directors

UNI's Jesse Wilcox has been named director of professional learning in science education on the board of directors for the National Science Teachers Association.
STEM Festival in UNI-DOME

A week of STEM excitement unfolds at UNI

This week at the University of Northern Iowa is a special one for STEM education, with two big events coming to campus.
Engineering student works in a classroom with a professor

UNI to launch Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology

UNI is proud to announce its new academic program, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology, set to debut in the fall of 2024.
National Geographic "Saving the Monarchs"

UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center included in National Geographic

UNI’s Tallgrass Prairie Center is included in the January 2024 issue of National Geographic in the story "Flight of the Monarchs."
UNI robotics team

UNI Applied Engineering & Technical Management students earn 3rd place at national robotics competition

The student-led UNI Technology Club – housed in the UNI Department of Applied Engineering & Technical Management – earned third place at the national ATMAE (Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering) 2023 Student Division Robotics Competition held in Atlanta, Georgia, in October.

Solar panels

Preparing tomorrow’s workforce in energy efficiency

A group of UNI professors have produced a curriculum that teaches middle and high school students about electrical energy. 
Kate Mostek holding a firework in a store

Fireworks obsession sparks chemistry passion for UNI student

When the average person looks at a fireworks display, they probably aren’t thinking of the chemistry concepts behind the fiery spectacle. But that’s exactly what UNI senior chemistry major Kate Mostek does. Since her parents run a fireworks business, she has extensive knowledge of what it takes to put on an impressive show.

“Even the colors of fireworks are really chemistry dependent,” she explained. “Each color is made out of a different metal salt, and then you can brighten and dull the colors with different combinations.”