Mission: Building STEM talent for tomorrow's workforce.
Vision: The BEA Applied STEM Institute at College of Eastern Idaho connects students with educators, mentors, and industry professionals through hands-on learning and career-connected experiences designed to accelerate academic readiness, accomplishment, and workforce development. Our goal is to discover, inspire, and cultivate talent that will drive STEM futures and industries across the Intermountain West.
Opening Fall 2026!
The BEA Applied STEM Institute is located on the beautiful main campus of College of Eastern Idaho, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Housed within the Battelle Energy Alliance Future Tech in Partnership with Frontier Credit Union building, the institute’s proximity to Idaho National Lab supports CEI’s unique approach to hands-on learning opportunities and ties affordable education directly to workforce pipelines.
Opening Fall 2026!
The institute will host ongoing programs for students, educators, and the community. A sample of planned programming is shown below. Many other activities will be added soon.
Student Programs:
| Program Name | Program Description | Program Starts | Target Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer STEM Bridge | Earn college credit in the summer! Students participate in 2 college classes over 8 weeks, earning 5-6 college credits with successful completion. | Summer 2026 | 10th graders – rising seniors (15-18 year olds) |
| Math Momentum | Weekly events will provide creative and fun ways for students to increase math confidence and celebrate the joy of problem solving | Fall 2026 | 6th – 12th grade |
| STEM Academies | In-depth academic experiences infused with certifications and durable skills. Students will participate for 12-16 weeks and complete pathway-driven coursework and experiences aimed to simultaneously expedite entry into STEM degrees and workforce readiness. | Fall 2026 | High school 11th – 12th graders College freshman & sophomores |
Educator Programs:
| Program Name | Program Description | Program Starts | Target Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISTEM Kits | STEM kits and resources available for check-out. Training and demonstration available to educators. | Fall 2026 | K-12 |
Community Programs:
| Program Name | Program Description | Program Starts | Target Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaker Series | Learn about the STEM ecosystem including fascinating historical events and future innovations from industry experts | Fall 2026 | Open to the community |
The BEA Applied STEM Institute Advisory Board provides advisory leadership and community insight to support the Institute's mission. Representing education, industry, workforce, and community organizations, board members help inform programming priorities, strengthen partnerships & continuity of educational and workforce pipelines, and identify emerging regional needs.
Dr. Lori Barber
President | College of Eastern IdahoDr. David Teter
Deputy Laboratory Director for Management and Operations, Chief Operations Officer | Idaho National LaboratoryJuan Alvarez
Executive Vice President for National Laboratory Management and Operations | BattelleDr. Jill Hettinger
K12 Educator at LargeBetsy Hunsicker
Chief Executive Officer | Eastern Idaho Regional Medical CenterDana Kirkham
Senior Director of Regulatory and Strategic Affairs | Idaho Environmental CoalitionJason Lords
Executive Director of Learning and Instruction | Bonneville School District 93Michelle Mallard
Bonneville County Commissioner District 3Hope Morrow
Manager of Workforce & Economic Development Programs | Idaho National LaboratoryBetsey Pitts
College STEM Faculty | College of Eastern IdahoPete Risse
State Administrator | Idaho Division of Career Technical EducationDr. Angela Sackett
Vice President of Academics & Student Affairs | College of Eastern IdahoWendy Secrist
Executive Director | Idaho Workforce Development CouncilDr. Scott Woolstenhulme
Superintendent | Bonneville School District 93
Dr. Lori BarberDr. David TeterJuan AlvarezDr. Jill HettingerBetsy HunsickerDana KirkhamJason LordsMichelle MallardHope MorrowBetsey PittsPete RisseDr. Angela SackettWendy SecristDr. Scott Woolstenhulme