The National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program Alliance project, “Midwest STEM Alliance to Elevate Science Teaching in Rural Elementary Schools,” aims to recognize outstanding educators in high-need elementary schools to advance excellence in STEM education in the Midwest Region. This project will support 18 rural elementary teachers to become STEM Teacher Corps Members by recognizing and rewarding their accomplishments and efforts to enhance STEM teaching and learning in rural elementary classrooms in Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. The project also intends to provide professional development, mentorship, and support to 120 rural cohort teachers within the region. This significant teacher cohort will receive instructional materials, money to purchase science curriculum materials, and opportunities to participate in the planned community of practice among all the regional teachers. The proposed project intends to enable, elevate, retain, and sustain exemplary and innovative elementary STEM teachers within the community of practice during and after the project. Ultimately, the project seeks to improve young, Midwest students’ interests, knowledge, and abilities in science. The project at the University of Northern Iowa includes the development of partnerships among four institutions of higher education, the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This Midwest Alliance also includes all thre