Teens from nearly two dozen Iowa counties explored careers in health care during the free program. 

Story, photography and videography: UI Health Care Marketing and Communications
Published: March 25, 2026
 

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.

At Teens Go STEM, career breakout sessions were offered in eight UI Health Care departments or areas:

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

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.

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.

Scenes from Teens Go STEM

teens stand outside the AirCare helicopter at a Teens Go STEM event two students sit inside the AirCare copter at a Teens Go STEM event a student looks at a simulated patient at a Teens Go STEM event students take part in a demonstration at a Teens Go STEM event two students examine samples at a Teens Go STEM event a student masked and gowned at a Teens Go STEM event dozens of students listen to a health care officer at a Teens Go STEM event students look through microscopes at a Teens Go STEM event a student listens at a Teens Go STEM event a student handles a model organ at a Teens Go STEM event students watch as a health care staffer handles a simulated infant patient at a Teens Go STEM event a young girl examines a woman's inner ear at a Teens Go STEM event

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