Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District
(SBA) - SBL is committed to preparing our students for high-demand careers by providing access to this cutting-edge technology. SBL Schools will help bridge the gap for the critical shortage of X-ray technicians.
Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School has been awarded a $20,000 STEM BEST® Program Explore grant to expand hands-on learning opportunities in healthcare, including the development of a radiology camp and the use of virtual reality technology in the classroom.
The grant, announced March 31 by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, supports early-stage programs that connect students with real-world career pathways. At SBL, the focus will be on medical imaging, a field facing ongoing workforce shortages.
Through the new program, students will participate in a radiology camp where they will explore the role of X-ray technicians. The experience will include virtual reality simulations that place students in a clinical setting, allowing them to practice imaging techniques and learn proper procedures. Students will also visit local healthcare providers for hands-on demonstrations of medical imaging equipment.
District officials say the initiative is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers while helping address the need for trained radiologic technologists in the region.
“This will be a great opportunity for our students,” said Brad McCauley, the district’s Director of Fine Arts.
The STEM BEST® program, launched in 2014, encourages partnerships between schools and industry to provide career-linked learning. Explore grants serve as a starting point for districts, with opportunities to apply for larger implementation funding in the future.
Planning for the radiology camp is expected to begin soon, with the program anticipated to launch during the upcoming school year.
