Real-world science showcased

Sydney Peterson Iowa State University

Iowa’s future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics recently embarked on a transformative journey through Iceland as part of STEM in Motion, an innovative 4-H Youth Development program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Seventeen enthusiastic youth from several counties across Iowa exchanged their familiar Midwest landscapes for glaciers, geysers, lava fields and geothermal rivers. The program, designed to immerse students in real-world STEM applications, took participants to the land of fire and ice to witness firsthand how science and sustainability shape everyday life.

“We were doing science with every step,” said Charlie Anderson of Union County, “but it never felt like a classroom.”

Indeed, Iceland’s natural laboratory brought science to life in ways a textbook never could. At Þingvellir National Park, students stood with one foot on the North American tectonic plate and the other on the Eurasian plate — a literal rift between continents.

For Riley Burken of Jackson County, that moment was unforgettable.

Burken said, “The rift walk was my favorite. To actually see the plates moving apart and know you’re standing on that line — it’s surreal.”

Later, as the group hiked across the ancient Solheimajökull glacier, they chipped away at centuries of volcanic and climatic history. They touched hardened lava, learned to identify layers of past eruptions and tasted the icy purity of water from the melting glacier.

In Iceland, even breakfast can be a science lesson. At the Fontana Geothermal Bakery, students helped dig up loaves of rye bread baked for 24 hours underground, heated naturally by the Earth’s geothermal energy. They learned how that renewable resource heats 90 percent of Icelandic homes and powers the nation remarkably efficiently.

At the Hellisheidi Power Plant, the largest geothermal plant in Iceland, students explored how heat and steam are turned into clean energy and why Iceland has become a global model for sustainable living.

“It was eye-opening,” one participant said. “We talk about renewable energy in class, but this was real. You could see the pipes, the steam, the process. It made me wonder what Iowa could do differently.”

The group’s journey included unique immersive experiences, such as exploring a 5,200-year-old lava tunnel and swimming in naturally heated hot springs tucked into remote mountain valleys.

At the Fridheimar tomato greenhouse, students explored hydroponic farming powered by geothermal heat and artificial light despite Iceland’s frigid climate. They made connections of similarities and differences in agriculture in Iowa compared to Iceland.

Charlie Anderson of Union County said, “Learning about the greenhouse and hydroponics system was neat, and they had some really interesting menu items. The tomato farm was awesome. Trying tomato ice cream? That was something I’ll never forget.”

The trip also introduced students to Icelandic history and folklore. They visited iconic landmarks such as the Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik, Hofdi House — the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev meeting site — and Gunnuhver, a steaming geothermal area named after a ghost from Icelandic legend.

The journey ended at the Blue Lagoon, where students soaked in the mineral-rich geothermal seawater. Nearby, they saw firsthand the impact of Iceland’s recent volcanic eruptions, including lava-altered roads and homes abandoned after government buyouts. Those raw displays of nature’s power provided a sobering yet awe-inspiring close to the trip.

Throughout the experience, youth were challenged to think critically about global sustainability, energy systems and how humans interact with the planet. But beyond the STEM content, they also gained lifelong friendships, cultural insights and an appreciation for the untouched beauty of one of the world’s most extraordinary places.

This year’s STEM in Motion travelers included youth from 10 Iowa counties -- Aiden Hagar, West Pottawattamie; Brayden Theulen, Greene County; Charlie Anderson, Union County; Cierra Kinzie, Adair County; Emerson Waltz, Kossuth County; Lejla Babic, Polk County; Mary Lane, Sawyer Burken and Tanner Burken, all of Jackson County; Sheyanne Simmons, Fremont County; Taylor Ommen, Adair County; and Will Colvin, Story County.

Aiden Hagar from West Pottawattamie County said, “There were a lot of things we were able to do that I never thought I would get to — from seeing and walking on a glacier to exploring the southern coast of Iceland. It was very fun, and I would 100 percent recommend this to anyone who likes to explore!”

Alexa Groff, Iowa 4-H STEM specialist and STEM in Motion program coordinator, said, “Through travel and immersive learning, Iowa 4-H helps young people become not just better students, but more thoughtful, inspired citizens of the world."

The next STEM in Motion trip destination is Peru and the Galapagos Islands in June 2026.

“From ancient temples and colonial landmarks to ecological treasures, Peru and the Galápagos Islands offer a rich tapestry of history, culture and field-based scientific discovery. This immersive journey will provide Iowa 4-H youth with an inspiring landscape to explore archaeology, earth sciences and conservation firsthand,” Groff said.