| Title |
Description |
Funding
Source |
Partner
Institutions |
Director
Name |
| Connecting Childrens Mathematical Thinking to Community and Family Funds of Knowledge in Elementary Mathematics Methods Courses |
This one-year conference grant will bring together elementary mathematics teacher educators from across the country for a conference in Tucson, Arizona, in May, 2008. The conference will seek to address the following questions:
What are the relationships between childrens mathematical thinking and their cultural, linguistic, family, and community-based funds of knowledge?
How do we incorporate ideas about childrens cultural, linguistic, family, and community-based funds of knowledge into elementary mathematics methods courses?
Products of the conference will include a conceptual framework and an instructional module to be piloted in elementary mathematics methods courses across the country in the Fall, 2008 semester.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
University of Arizona |
Corey Drake
Assistant Professor
Iowa State University
(515) 294-3701
|
| PRISMS (Physics Resources and Instructional Strategies for Motivating Students) |
The highly successful Physics Resources and Instructional
Strategies for Motivating Students (PRISMS) is a
comprehensive high school physics curriculum and
professional development program. The PRISMS curriculum and
pedagogy have been used extensively in UNI Physics teacher
preparation and professional development programs. The
PRISMS curriculum was revised with funding from the National
Science Foundation with the enhanced version now being
available as PRISMS PLUS through Centre Pointe Learning
publishing (http://www.cplearning.com/). PRISMS workshops
have been presented in the last 20 years (almost) to over
2,500 teachers in almost all 50 states, American Samoa,
Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Italy, Mexico, Russia, and
Taiwan.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
|
Lawrence T. Escalada (with Dr. Roy Unruh and Dr. Tim Cooney)
Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-2431
|
| Magnetic Properties of Disordered Rare-Earth Nanostructures |
Two sets of summer activities were developed for Upward
Bound Math Science rising seniors. The first included
hands-on experiments involving the properties of magnets and
compasses, the magnetic effects of an electric current, and
magnetic induction. The second set of activities included a
tour of the Dr. Shands research laboratory, demonstration
experiments of superconductivity and diamagnetic levitation,
and a question-and-answer period during which the students
were able to ask Dr. Shand and undergraduate research
students questions about magnetism, research, and careers.
In addition to these activities, two UBMS rising seniors
were involved in pedagogically-oriented research projects
with Dr. Shand over a 5-week period. Posters were prepared
and presented at the end of the research period.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
UNI Upward Bound Math & Science |
Paul Shand
Professor of Physics
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-2930
|
| ATEEC Fellows Institute |
The Advanced Technology Environment and Energy Center was established in 1994 with the mission of advancing environmental technology education through curricula development, professional development, and program improvement in community colleges and high schools. The ATEEC Fellows Institute provides professional development workshops and disseminates curricular materials related to environmental and energy technology to high school and community college educators nationwide.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Partnership for Environmental Technology Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Alaska, Fairbanks |
Maureen Clayton
Director, Environmental Programs
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-7147
|
| Sustainable Energy Education and Training |
SEET is a professional development project for community
college and high school educators nationwide. The goal is
to build the capacity of energy and environmental
technicians to meet the challenges of sustainable energy in
the 21st century workplace. Professional development
workshops are coupled with the creation, dissemination and
implementation of sustainable energy curriculum components.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Eastern Iowa Community College District
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Partnership for Environmental Technology Education |
Maureen Clayton
Director, Environmental Programs
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-7147
|
| Ramps and pathways: A constructivist approach to teaching physical science |
The project's purpose is to develop physical science
curriculum for children pre-K through grade 2 that will
result in improved science achievement. Project goals are:
(1) to develop age-appropriate physical science curriculum
concerning the movement of objects along ramps and pathways
that will lead to knowledge about concepts of forces and
motion, ability to engage in scientific inquiry; ability to
solve engineering problems; and positive attitudes about
science and themselves as science learners; (2) to develop
professional development materials that will support early
childhood educators in understanding how to foster young
children's learning about physical science and scientific
inquiry.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
|
Betty Zan
Associate Professor
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-2101
|
| Expanding Nanoscience Education in Northern Iowa |
The Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Biology at UNI are jointly developing 1) lecture and lab materials for a nanoscience curriculum at the undergraduate level appropriate to pre-service high school science teachers; 2) a nanoscience outreach program to in-service high school science teachers.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Denver High School (Denver, IA); Holmes Junior High School (Waterloo, IA) |
Cliff Chancey
Professor of Physics
University of Northern Iowa
319-273-2425
|
| Research Experiences for Teachers |
A seven week summer internship for 7th-12th grade life science teachers. Provides teachers with a background and first-hand experience in the design, methods, and analysis of research associated with molecular biotechnology and genomics. Introduces teachers to the value of scientific inquiry in the context of molecular biology, biotechnology and genomics. This is a research focused program with teachers conducting their own projects under the mentorship of ISU faculty. Attention is given to the transfer of this experience to classroom curricula.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
|
Adah Leshem-Ackerman
Clinician
Iowa State University
515-.294.8453
|
| Entomology Digital Library |
The goal of this project is to provide teachers and learners with access to the high-quality, expert-reviewed entomology teaching materials. Examples of teaching materials are animations, audio files, field guides, laboratory exercises, online lectures and videos depicting insect biology and behavior. Each resource is classified in a manner interoperable with the standards set by the BiosciEdNet Collaborative, which is spearheaded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and composed of professional societies and coalitions for biology education.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
North Carolina State University, Clemson University, the Entomological Foundation. |
John VanDyk
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Systems Analyst
Iowa State University
515-294-7401
|
| Midwestern Alliance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics |
The Midwest Alliance is a consortium of research educators,
scientists, engineers, and student disability service
providers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
(UW-Madison), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(UIUC) and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). MIDWEST is
a new, evolving NSF Regional Alliance, and is building
infrastructure and programs, as well as identifying and
fostering relationships with partners in the multi-state
region. The objectives and activities that have been
identified to meet these goals include (a) Identifying,
targeting, and providing needed transitional services for
secondary and post-secondary education students with
disabilities for successful STEM education and careers, (b)
Providing training and tools for primary, secondary, and
post-secondary teachers and disability services providers to
enhance opportunities for students with disabilities in STEM
education and careers, (c) Improving the likelihood of
independent living and long-term employment success for
post-secondary students with disabilities through support
services and technology.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
University of Wisconsin
University of Illinois
University of Northern Iowa |
Jay Martin, U. of Wisconsin
|
| CAREER: Constructing Coherence: Elementary Teachers' Strategies for Using Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculum Materials |
The first two years of this study are designed to understand the ways in which
experienced elementary teachers use reform-oriented mathematics
curriculum materials. In Year 3, we will use our findings develop a conceptual
framework for understanding teachers' curriculum use. We will then use this
framework and our findings to create multi-media cases to be used in
elementary mathematics methods courses. In Years 4 and 5, these cases will
be piloted in elementary mathematics methods courses at Iowa State
University and across the country.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Ames, Des Moines, and Dubuque public schools |
Corey Drake
Assistant Professor
Iowa State University
(515) 294-3701
|
| Biotechnology Curriculum Development and Dissemination Project |
This project aims to provide regional agricultural
industries with biotechnicians proficient in mathematics,
technology, life and agricultural science. Activities
include sponsoring an academic retreat for community college
and university faculty to partner with business and industry
leaders to identify core competencies and align curriculum
with emerging industry standards. Additionally, the project
aims to integrate biotechnology concepts into existing
transfer and agriculture degree programs at community
colleges, thereby preparing students to enter a rapidly
growing job market or pursue higher education goals.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
NICC, State Fair Community College (Sedalia, Mo.), Iowa
State University, South Dakota State University, and
Northwest Missouri State University. |
Robert Klepper
Associate Professor -- Science
SCC - 16
712-362-7959
|
| Iowa IMPPACT (Investigating the Meaningfulness of Pre-service Programs Across the Continuum of Teaching) |
A research effort designed to determine the impact of features of teacher education programs on future science teachers. The effort includes the following four Cohorts for five years: 1) persons entering a program; 2) persons completing a program; 3) persons completing 1-4 years of teaching; and 4) persons teaching five plus years.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Syracuse University
North Carolina State University |
Robert E. Yager
Professor of Science Education
University of Iowa
319-335-1189
|
| Iowa Chautauqua |
A program at the UI that assists K-12 Iowa teachers to
improve their teaching in ways advocated by the National
Science Education Standards. It opens with a three week
summer workshop and continues for two academic years with
a 3 day short course in the Fall and a similar one each
year in the Spring.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
|
Robert E. Yager
Professor of Science Education
University of Iowa
319-335-1189
|
| Computational Literacy |
The Computational Literacy project was aimed at measuring the effectiveness of using computational resources to teach science topics at the 9-10 grade high school level. The project was completed in August of this year; materials are available at http://www.computationallaboratory.org
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
University of Northern Iowa
Center for Children and Technology
Maryland Virtual High School |
Chad Thompson
Staff Scientist / Information Systems Engineer
The Krell Institute
(515) 956-3696
|
| A Partnership Approach to Improving Technology and Engineering Education in Eastern Iowa |
St. Ambrose University and EICCD will increase enrollment and graduation rates in math, science, and engineering programs at their institutions, specifically targeting industrial engineering. We will accomplish this goal with: 1) multiple matriculation pathways into industrial engineering and STEM programs; 2) marketing these careers and programs to pre-college and community college students; and 3) financial and academic support to help qualified students graduate. Our goal is 90% retention among participants. Over five years, 118 additional engineers and technicians will graduate with 70 more to graduate after the grant concludes.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
St. Ambrose University |
Michael Opar, Ph.D.
Chair, Industrial Engineering
EICCD - 9
563-333-6152
|
| ATE Center -- Environmental Resource Center |
The Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC) will: 1) provide a comprehensive market-driven clearinghouse to promote teaching, training, and learning in environmental education program at the secondary and postsecondary levels; 2) provide a variety of professional development, support, and mentoring services to educational institutions.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
University of Northern Iowa, Partnership for Environmental Technology Education. |
Ellen Kabat Lensch, Ph.D.
Executive Director, ATEEC
EICCD - 9
563-336-3331
|
| The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center: A Resource Center |
The Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center
(ATEEC) will: 1) expand ATEEC dissemination and availability
of exemplary educational materials, curricula, and
pedagogical practices in the areas of environmental and
sustainable energy technology; 2) expand the web-based,
digital electronic Environmental Resources Library to
include sustainable energy technology and expand the user
base; 3) provide professional development opportunities in
the area of environmental and energy technology to high
school and community college teachers.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
University of Northern Iowa, Partnership for Environmental
Technology Education. |
Ellen Kabat Lensch, Ph.D.
Executive Director, ATEEC
EICCD - 9
563-336-3331
|
| SEET Project: Sustainable Energy and Education Training Workshops for Future Energy Technicians |
This project will build the capacity of energy and environmental technicians to meet the challenges of sustainable energy in the 21st century through two ten-day intensive annual workshops at national laboratories for technology instructors at upper level high school and community college levels in the content areas of energy efficiency and energy conservation.
Project Status: Planned for within a year |
National Science Foundation |
University of Northern Iowa, Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, National Renewable Energy Laboratories. |
Ellen Kabat Lensch, Ph.D.
Executive Director, ATEEC
EICCD - 9
563-336-3331
|
| A National Collaboration to Strengthen the Advanced Environmental Technology Education Programs at Native American Community Colleges |
There are 33 Native American community colleges located on
reservations throughout the U.S. Many are seeking to
develop, expand, and/or upgrade their environmental
technology education programs. Goals of this project are to:
1) ensure project activities and outcomes of the STEM
project reflect the historic/cultural beliefs and
contributions of Native Americans; 2) develop a Native
American Environmental Fellows Institute which will serve as
a vehicle to strengthen environmental science/technology
education at the nation's Native American community
colleges; 3) ensure Native American colleges have access to
a full range of technical assistance to strengthen their
environmental science and technology programs.
Project Status: Planned for within a year |
National Science Foundation |
Turtle Mountain Community College, Partnership for
Environmental Technology Education (PETE) |
Kirk Laflin
Executive Director, PETE
EICCD - 9
207-771-9020
|
| SEEC: STEM Student Enrollment and Engagement through Connections |
ISU and DMACC are partnering on the STEM SEEC project to
increase the number of students graduating with a
bachelor's degrees in engineering from ISU and the number
of students in STEM areas of study at DMACC including
increasing the number of transfers from DMACC to ISU in
engineering. Retention at DMACC and ISU will be increased by
a new learning community model, called a learning village or
meta-community. First year and gateway engineering courses
will be reviewed to better engage students, to provide
flexibility, and to support transfer students.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Iowa State University |
Harry McMaken
Math and Engineering Professor
DMACC - 11
515-964-6861
|
| Development of cutting-edge geoscience virtual reality applications for classroom instruction and pedagogical evaluation of the impact on learning of VR technology |
This project critically investigates the most effective ways to incorporate virtual reality of geoscience phenomena in the classroom by testing two virtual activities on a diverse range of students in various demographic and classroom settings. The first activity is a virtual tornadic thunderstorm that has already been developed and tested as a proof-of-concept project. Also, a new, virtual volcano activity is being developed using some of the techniques and experience gained during the development of the virtual tornadic storm.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation |
Penn. State Univ. - Deleware County
University of Texas at El Paso
Fort Valley State
Western Washington University
University of Georgia |
William A. Gallus, Jr.
Professor of Meteorology
Iowa State University
515-293-2270
|
