Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer Visits LCMS to Celebrate STEM Excellence
Posted January 7, 2026
Lewis Central Middle School recently welcomed Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold, President and CEO of iJAG, for a special visit to Mr. Kern’s Plastics Lab. The visit was held in celebration of Mr. Kern being named the 2025 STEM Teacher Award recipient for the Southwest Iowa STEM Region—an honor that highlights his outstanding commitment to hands-on, innovative STEM education.
During the visit, Lieutenant Governor Cournoyer and Dr. Mihm-Herold had the opportunity to see Lewis Central’s plastic manufacturing program in action. In Mr. Kern’s lab, middle school students recycle and melt down plastic to create new designs and products, all while learning real-world manufacturing skills and helping keep plastic out of the landfill. The program showcases how STEM learning can be both creative and environmentally responsible.
Lieutenant Governor Cournoyer and Dr. Mihm-Herold even left with some impressive, student-made products from the classroom, including a flower pot, keychain, and coasters—all created from recycled plastic bags. These items served as a tangible reminder of the creativity, problem-solving, and sustainability woven into the learning experience.
This visit was a wonderful opportunity to recognize Mr. Kern’s achievement and to highlight the incredible STEM projects and programs taking place across Lewis Central. We are proud of the engaging, future-focused learning experiences being offered to our students every day.
Thank you to Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer and Dr. Mihm-Herold for taking the time to visit Lewis Central Middle School and help us celebrate STEM education and the outstanding work of our educators and students.
