The Iowa Academy of Science is supported by its members, volunteers, sponsors, donors, event participation, and the University of Northern Iowa. Please thank UNI for the benefits you and IAS receive from this partnership. Benefits include low event registration fees, office space, access to facilities, and other on campus benefits.

Welcome to IAS Science Connections

STEM Related Opportunities and Events
for Formal and Informal Education

Visit the websites of the sponsoring organizations for changes and updates.  

If you have a formal or informal education program or activity to promote on IAS Science Connections contact the IAS Executive Director by email at craig.johnson@uni.edu or call 319-273-2581. Scroll down to view current and examples of past programs and activities that have been featured.

EXAMPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Scroll down to view examples of programs and activities promoted on SCIENCE CONNECTIONS.

All programs and activities below this point have expired.



Professional Development Opportunity

Developing an Iowa Energy Curriculum
for Secondary Classrooms

Summer 2021

The University of Northern Iowa received funding from the Iowa Energy Center to develop and disseminate an energy curriculum for Iowa secondary students.  We are seeking applications from Iowa secondary teachers to be members of the curriculum development team.  This multi-year project will begin with a curriculum development workshop (either on-campus or remotely if necessary) in summer 2021 (June 21-25), followed by curriculum editing performed remotely in July 2021.  The ideal candidates will be able to participate in an additional workshop in summer 2022, field test the materials, and assist with dissemination of the final curriculum.  Those selected to participate will be eligible for:

• $600 stipend plus on-campus housing and meals for the June 2021 workshop,

• $400 stipend for curriculum editing in July 2021,

• $600 stipend plus on-campus housing and meals for the June 2022 workshop,

• $400 stipend for curriculum editing in July 2022, and

• $250 stipend for field testing in fall 2022 and spring 2023

Graduate credit will be available at a reduced cost.

Apply now and learn more:  energygrant.uni.edu

Blank Park Zoo
Des Moines
2020-2021 Professional Deveopment for Teachers

Research Experience for Teachers
June 22 – August 15, 2020
Applications due March 31st, 2020. 
Northwestern University’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Northwestern University's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (NU-MRSEC) is offering a 8-week summer Research Experience for Teachers (RET). Middle School, High School, and Community College teachers are eligible to apply. 

Participants engage in hands on, cutting edge research, develop a network scientific colleagues, learn scientific and technological developments, and discover ways to transfer this knowledge into their classroom. Teachers will be matched up with center faculty based on research interests. 

RET program participants will receive a $8,500 stipend. A travel supplement and/or on-campus housing are available for participants outside the immediate Chicagoland area.  

The program takes place June 22nd-August 15, 2020. 

Applications are due March 31st, 2020. 

For more information and to apply click the button below

Summer Naturalist Interns (4 positions)
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Woodbury County Conservation Board, Sioux City, Iowa

Each 12-week position will run approximately May 26 through August 14, 2020 and will offer opportunities to actively participate in environmental education (EE), public information, nature interpretation activities and habitat management. The summer naturalist(s) may assume assigned tasks of increasing responsibility.

For complete job description click button below.

Habitat Stewardship Intern
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
Woodbury County Conservation Board, Sioux City, Iowa

Description: This 12-week position will run approximately May 26 through August 14, 2020 and will offer opportunities to actively participate in land stewardship and habitat management activities in prairie and woodland environments.

For complete job description click button below.

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education Naturalist
Woodbury County, Iowa

This position will be supervised by the Education Programs Director for Woodbury County Conservation Board based at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Description: This 450 Hour AmeriCorps member will serve approximately mid-May through August 31, 2020. 40-hour work week. No benefits. Start and end dates are flexible.

For complete job description click button below.

University of Northern Iowa

Can You Dig It?

Earn two units of graduate credit and learn about Iowa’s geological resources through an activity-based short course (EARTHSCI 6233 Iowa’s Geological Resources for Teachers) through the University of Northern Iowa.

This year’s focus: Economic geology and its importance to society through STEM, Iowa Core/NGSS standards and local resources. The course begins with online content development in the spring to prepare you for the hands-on workshop visiting various geological sites and preparing curricular materials in July.

• Develop rock and mineral collections while obtaining a
basic proficiency in their identification.
• Focus on the significance of these items in understanding
and interpreting Earth’s history and the geology of Iowa.
• Learn of the various economic and environmental aspects
of Iowa geology.

Network with Fellow Geology Educators

Participate in several exciting, hands-on activities in the field, and meet other Earth science teachers from across the state. Discuss what’s working and what’s not in your classrooms and share your tried-and-true methods for teaching about the geology of Iowa.
Application deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 6, 2020
Online via Adobe Connect . . . . . . . . March 2, 16, & 30; April 13 & 27
On the UNI campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 7–10

Engineering Design Workshop

The following opportunity is made possible by a grant from the Iowa Science Foundation.
ISF Grant 19-01
ILED: Iowa Leadership in Engineering Design
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ken L. Turner, Jr.
University of Dubuque

Click the button above for a PDF version, on letterhead, of the open letter below.
Forward the letter to your superintendent or other interested parties.

An open letter to superintendents and interested parties,

My team of teachers – and the Iowa Science Foundation - would like to provide a workshop on engineering design for the elementary teachers and science teachers of your district at no cost to you or your teachers. My team of teachers and college students are not accepting any payment or stipend for the workshop. There is no cost to the teacher participants. And the Iowa Science Foundation has agreed to reimburse districts up to $1,000 for substitute coverage. (That’s right! The Iowa Science Foundation will pay for the substitute coverage so that teachers can attend the workshop!)

Teachers have asked for this workshop. Literally. In 2018, while President of the Iowa Science Teacher Section, I surveyed members on the most important topic for a workshop. The top three topics were NGSS, Innovative teaching/engaged learners, and STEM. 49 % of all respondents chose one of those three topics. Engineering design is all of those topics.

We are award winning teachers and expert presenters. Our most recent workshop on Engineering Design received ratings that were all above 4.5 on a 5.0 scale, including 4.78 on the question, “I would recommend this workshop to friends and colleagues.” We are happy to provide additional information at your request.

Will you host a workshop for your district’s teachers? Can we talk and choose a date?

Please reply at your earliest convenience so that we can get a conversation started. I would like to discuss a date in spring or the upcoming 2020 – 2021 school year.
I hope to hear from you soon!

Cordially yours,
Ken L. Turner, Jr.
kturner@dbq.edu

Resources for Teaching Physics

University of Northern Iowa eLearning Course
Requires Internet Access and Web Browser
January 13 to May 8, 2020

The UNI Physics Department is offering an on-line physics course called PHYSICS 4080/5080, Resources for Teaching Physics. The course provides 2 credit hours via UNI Continuing Education and begins in the in Spring of 2020.  This course is perfect for teachers working on a physics teaching or all science teaching endorsement. It is also part of a physics endorsement program available at UNI. 

This course focuses on topics recommended for high school physics programs, with an emphasis on various physics education resources in the context of science education initiatives. This course is designed for both current science teachers and science education undergraduates. Prerequisite(s): PHYSICS 1511(880:054) or PHYSICS 1701 (880:130); PHYSICS 1512 (880:056) or PHYSICS 1702 (880:131)

Download course flyer and more details by clicking on the buttons:

Blank Park Zoo Professional Development Opportunities
Academic Year 2019 - 2020

Teacher Workshops

The Blank Park Zoo invites educators to participate in our unique, fun-filled and informative teacher workshops. Workshops are held at various locations and dates throughout the year and cover a variety of topics. Participating teachers will be eligible for a FREE zoo program.

Cost: $25 to help cover costs associated with materials and meals. All sales are final; no refunds will be honored.

License renewal will be made available. All workshop activities are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Iowa Core for science, with connections to literacy, math, and social studies.

For more information and additional opportunities, click the button below!