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(Iowa) -- 44 Iowa elementary school students have been selected as 2026 National Math Stars.
The Iowa Department of Education says the Iowa students will join roughly 600 other students from across the country, chosen out of nearly 9,000 applicants nationwide. Last year, the state of Iowa announced a partnership with National Math Stars, a 10-year program to support students gifted in math. To be considered for the program, students completed a lengthy evaluation process that measured their aptitude in mathematics as well as their interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
The students accepted to National Math Stars are placed into one of two programs, with the selections based on family needs. Students selected for the Pathfinder program will receive personalized guidance, financial aid based on their needs, and challenging coursework. Students selected for the Voyager program will receive funding for summer camps, competitions, STEM supplies, and more. Of the 44 Iowa students selected as National Math Stars, 34 were selected for the Pathfinder program, and 10 were selected as Voyager Stars. Both programs serve students for 10 years, through the end of high school.
Iowa's 2026 National Math Stars come from 19 public school districts and two accredited non-public schools, including:
- Ames Community School District - 6 students
- Ankeny Community School District - 2 students
- Apiary Leadership Academy (Des Moines)
- Audubon Community School District
- Baxter Community School District
- Bondurant-Farrar Community School District
- Boone Community School District
- Cedar Rapids Community School District
- East Mills Community School District (Malvern)
- IKM-Manning Community School District, Manning
- Iowa City Community School District - 7 students
- Iowa Falls Community School District
- Johnston Community School District
- Linn-Mar Community School District - 3 students
- Marion Independent School District
- Perry Community School District
- Sioux City Community School District
- St. Francis of Assisi School (West Des Moines)
- Twin Rivers Community School District (Bode)
- Waukee Community School District, Waukee - 10 students
- West Des Moines Community School District
More information is available on the National Math Stars website.