A growing number of Iowa students are learning the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields that will drive the jobs of the future.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad created the STEM Advisory Council in 2011 as both an educational and economic development initiative, explained Jeff Weld, the council’s director, at the Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting last month.

Weld said the state’s STEM program aims to boost Iowa’s status as a world leader in education, while also providing employers with the skilled work...