| Title |
Description |
Funding
Source |
Partner
Institutions |
Director
Name |
| A Teachers Circle for Central Iowa Middle School Mathematics Teachers |
Creation and operation of a Teachers Circle (a group of
teachers and mathematicians who meet regularly to learn
about problem solving activities) for some central Iowa
middle school mathematics teachers.)
Project Status: Current |
IMSEP |
ISU Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE) |
Elgin Johnston
Professor of Mathematics
Iowa State University
515-294-0302
|
| A Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources |
This project educates graduate and undergraduate students,
as well as current faculty, in areas of biobased products
and technologies. Curricula and materials will be developed
and delivered for: (1) Fundamentals of Biobased Products and
Technologies, (2) Biofuels, and (3) Thermochemical
Processing of Biomass. Goals include multi-institutional
development and delivery of all courses; improving teaching
competency of current and future faculty (doctoral
candidates); and implementing, assessing, and refining a
novel distance-education model - the Virtual Education
Center (VEC). Objectives include developing a indexed bank
of mini-lectures, developing VEC operational guidelines, and
assessing the courses, instructors, and VEC model.
Project Status: Current |
USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant Program |
University of Kentucky
University of Idaho |
D Raj Raman
Associate Director, Educational Programs, Office of Biorenewables Programs
Iowa State University
515.294.0465
|
| Agricultural Science Workshop |
This workshop is offered each year during the summer to teachers of agricultural science in Iowa high schools. Lesson plans are developed for use in agri-science courses grades 7th to 12th. Emphasis is placed on plant science, animal science, horticulture science, and natural resources.
Project Status: Current |
Course offered for credit through continuing education |
n/a |
Robert Martin
Professor and Chair
Iowa State University
515-294-5872
|
| BETAL Community |
The BETAL Community focuses on pre-service secondary science
teachers, both undergraduate and graduate students (MAT).
The intention is help the students make connections between
their content areas (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and
Physics) and the pedagogy that they are learning in their
science teaching methods courses.
Project Status: Current |
ISU Learning Communities Program |
|
Jim Colbert
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Biology Program Coordinator
Iowa State University
5152949330
|
| Biotechnology Education Workshop |
This workshop is conducted to assist agriculture science teachers in Iowa how to integrate biotechnology skills and knowledge into the study of agriculture.
Project Status: Current |
Course offered for credit through continuing education |
In cooperation with the ISU Biotechnology Education Office. |
Robert Martin
Professor and Chair
Iowa State University
515-294-5872
|
| BugGuide.Net |
An online community of volunteer naturalists and photographers provide scientifically accurate identifications and life histories of insects. K-12 students and their teachers are frequent participants. Just today we received another typical email: "My daughter has been trying to identify bugs for a high school zoology project and has found your sight (sic) very helpful in identifying over half of the insects she collected. She even sent in a couple of photos she needed help in identifying and the response was very quick."
Project Status: Current |
Iowa State University |
|
John VanDyk
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Systems Analyst
Iowa State University
515-294-7401
|
| 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
|
| Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) Professional Learning Community - Ames and Nevada, IA |
Teachers volunteered to partake in a professional learning
community organized by Dr. Jenna Seymour, Dr. Corey Drake,
and Veteran CGI teacher Deb Grummer. Members engaged in
activities similar to those who participated in Department
of Education CGI Summer Institutes. Organizers co-taught and
met with teachers throughout the school year in schools, and
across school meetings. AEA and Drake credit were offered at
minimum costs. Research data is being analyzed.
Collaborations continue and are expanding. Grant money is
being sought to expand the learning community.
Project Status: Current |
none |
Ames Community School District |
Jenna Seymour
Assistant Professor Mathematics Education
Iowa State University
515-294-5763
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| Food Irradiation Workshop |
This workshop was conducted for teachers of agriculture science in Iowa's high schools. The teachers developed lesson plans for teaching about irradiation technologies and related issues of public concern.
Project Status: Current |
Course offered for credit through continuing education |
n/a |
Robert Martin
Professor and Chair
Iowa State University
515-294-5872
|
| Food Safety Workshop |
This workshop was conducted for teachers of agricultural science in Iowa's high schools. The teachers developed lesson plans for teaching food safety issues to agriculture students (7th to 12th grade).
Project Status: Current |
Course offered for credit through continuing education |
n/a |
Robert Martin
Professor and Chair
Iowa State University
515-294-5872
|
| Graduate Work in Biorenewables via Distance-Ed |
Iowa State University established the first graduate program
in biorenewable resources in the United States several years
ago, and has graduated over two dozen students from the
program already. To extend the availability of this program
outside the bounds of the ISU campus, both MS and graduate
certificate programs are being made available online. The
Biorenewable Resources and Technology program offers
students from a wide variety of science and engineering
backgrounds advanced study in the use of plant- and
crop-based resources for the production of biobased
products, including fuels, chemicals, materials, and energy.
Project Status: Current |
Internal |
NA |
D Raj Raman
Associate Director, Educational Programs, Office of Biorenewables Programs
Iowa State University
515.294.0465
|
| Improving Elementary Science by Connecting Science Inquiry and Language Arts |
This partnership project seeks to improve student performance in both science and language arts on standardized tests by linking science inquiry activities to the reading/writing programs within elementary schools by using the Science Writing Heuristic, which attempts to replicate authentic science activities by scaffolding students' critical thinking and problem solving strategies. Instead of the traditional laboratory format, the Science Writing Heuristic asks students to write statements about their research questions followed by the process of making claims and framing evidence from their investigations. A key component in this process is dialogue where students are asked to comparing their findings.
Project Status: Current |
Iowa Department of Education, Math & Science Partnership |
University of Iowa
Area Education Agency 11
Area Education Agency 13
Iowa Space Grant Consortium
Several Iowa School Districts |
Lori Norton-Meier
Asssistant Professor
Iowa State University
515-294-1224
|
| Improving Mathematics Instruction in Pre-K Classrooms |
Review, develop, implement and evaluate mathematics curricular materials for Pre-K classrooms to share with Pre-K teachers for enhanced mathematics instruction.
Project Status: Current |
IMSEP |
ISU Lab School, University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Head Start Collaboration Office, Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, IHEs
|
Carla Peterson
Associate Dean of Human Sciences Administration
Iowa State University
515-294-7804
|
| Integrating Math into the Study of Agriculture Workshop |
This workshop was held in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators Summer Conference, 2007. Lesson plans were developed to integrate math into selected units of instruction in agriculture at the 7th to 12th grade level.
Project Status: Current |
Course offered for credit through continuing education |
In cooperation with the Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators. This was a one time workshop. |
Robert Martin
Professor and Chair
Iowa State University
515-294-5872
|
| Iowa State University E-SET |
The Extension-Science, Engineering and Technology program (E-SET), is sponsored by 4-H Youth Development of Iowa State University Extension and Iowa Space Grant Consortium. E-SET reaches out to the formal and informal educators and youth of Iowa to provide resources for hands-on science and technology education. E-SET provided professional Development, educational SET Kits, curriculum and programming in SET.
Project Status: Current |
Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Iowa 4-H Foundation, private donations, grants and contracts |
University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Drake as ISGC Academic Affiliates. |
Jay Staker
Director, E-SET and Associate Director for Education for ISGC
Iowa State University
515-294-8417
|
| ISU Biotechnology Public Education Program |
Iowa State University Office of Biotechnology Public
Education program has been conducting biotechnology training
for teachers in summer workshops since 1988. K-16 teachers,
pre-service teachers, extension professionals, and other
educators who want to teach about the science that leads to
new biotechnology developments and the issues surrounding
them can improve their skills at the Biotechnology Outreach
Education Center (BOEC). Established in 2000, the BOEC
hosts education workshop and mini-courses throughout the
school year for educators. All Iowa teachers who have
completed workshop courses are entitled to free materials to
conduct one or more of 26 classroom activities and 9
curriculum units.
Project Status: Current |
ISU Biotechnology Council, ISU Extension, Iowa Biotechnology Ass. |
|
Mike Zeller
Biotechnology Outreach Education Coor.
Iowa State University
515 294-5949
|
| MAT in Science Education |
The MAT program is a 15 month intensive science teacher education program preparing students for licensure in grades 7-12 science areas.
Project Status: Current |
|
|
Michael Clough and Joanne Olson
Associate Professors, Science Education
Iowa State University
515-294-7010
|
| Materials Engineering Demonstrations |
Materials Demonstrations possible title Cool Stuff
Live demonstrations on properties of materials will be performed. The focus is on the atomic structure of the material and how the properties of the material change when the atomic structure is changed. The changes usually are made through the use of extremely hot or cold temperatures. Materials will be set on fire or cooled in liquid nitrogen. They will be broken, shattered, or made stronger. Examples from real-world events such as the Challenger and Columbia Shuttles and the Titanic will be explained.
Project Status: Current |
MSE Department, ISU |
|
Lawrence J. Genalo
Professor and Associate Chair, MSE Department
Iowa State University
515 294 4722
|
| Math Progress Monitoring |
The Math Progress Monitoring project is involved in developing and evaluating progress monitoring measures for grades K-8. Working in Iowa elementary and middle schools, the project involves examining the technical adequacy of brief assessments that can be used for screening students (to identify those who may be in need of supplemental instruction) and for progress monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction. Current activities are focused on measures for Kindergarten and Grade 1, as well as measures for middle school mathematics.
Project Status: Current |
University of Minnesota/U.S. Department of Education |
Research Institute on Progress Monitoring, University of Minnesota |
Anne Foegen (ISU), Christine Espin and Teri Wallace (University of Minnesota)
Lead Researcher, Mathematics
Iowa State University
(515) 294-8373
|
| Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) |
The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP)
provides genuine research experiences to high school
students and teachers while helping scientists to discover
the function of previously uncharacterized plant genes. In
Iowa there are currently five high schools participating in
the project. Students grow wild and mutant seeds of the
Arabidopsis plant under different stress environments,
document the growth and phenotypic differences between the
plants, then share this information with scientists at ISU
and Virginia Tech.
Project Status: Current |
SEPA & NIH |
Virginia Polytechnic and State Institute |
Adah Leshem-Ackerman
Clinician
Iowa State University
515-.294.8453
|
| Partnerships for Science Education |
Research experience for gifted high school students who show
interest in furthering their education in a STEM field.
This is a one semester (fall/spring) after school program
for Story and Boone county students and operates in
partnership with the students' high schools. Students are
placed in a STEM research lab under the mentorship of and
ISU faculty member. Students receive high school credit for
participation and are expected to present a scientific
poster reflecting their research project.
Project Status: Current |
No funding required |
|
Adah Leshem-Ackerman
Clinician
Iowa State University
515-.294.8453
|
| Project AAIMS: Algebra Assessment and Instruction: Meeting Standards |
Project AAIMS is focused on developing brief assessments for
Algebra I that classroom teachers can use to monitor their
students' progress in algebra learning across an entire
course. The assessments are given frequently (i.e., weekly
or twice each month) and students' scores are graphed to
provide a visual representation of changes in performance.
High school teachers (both general and special education)
from three Iowa school districts have collaborated in
Project AAIMS for the past three years, along with over 900
algebra students, both with and without disabilities.
Project Status: Current |
U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education |
|
Anne Foegen
Associate Professor
Iowa State University
(515) 294-8373
|
| 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
|
| SCIENCE BOUND |
Iowa State University's premier program to prepare
underrepresented ethnic minority students in Iowa to earn
college degrees and pursue careers in STEM
fields. SCIENCE BOUND provides students with hands-on
experiences in STEM fields and exposure to researchers and
scientists excelling in these areas. Students who
successfully complete the 5-year commitment and
major in a STEM field receive a tuition scholarship to ISU.
Project Status: Current |
various sources - grants, corporate support, etc. |
Iowa State University,
Des Moines Public Schools
Marshalltown Public Schools
Denison Public Schools |
Constance P. Hargrave
Associate Professor
Iowa State University
515 294-1390
|
| Seamless Transitions into and through Science Teacher Education |
Project focuses on science teacher recruitment and retention
through the development of a workshop series for cooperating
teachers and university supervisors to address
research-based effective science teaching practices and to
assist beginning teachers on how to implement such practices.
Project Status: Current |
IMSEP |
Iowa State University
Drake University
University Teacher Education Program
Faculty in Science Education
Faculty in Special Education
|
Joanne K. Olson
Associate Professor of Science Education
Iowa State University
515-294-3315
|
| Skunk River Navy |
The SRN focuses on first year Biology majors, although other students,
faculty, staff, and community members also participate. The activities include
water quality monitoring, biodiversity monitoring, and trash removal from
local streams. These activities relate to the introductory biology course being
taken by the first year students.
Project Status: Current |
ISU Learning Communities Program |
|
Jim Colbert
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Biology Program Coordinator
Iowa State University
5152949330
|
| State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa |
SSTFI is a student research program that allows 6-12 grade
students in Iowa to exhibit their science, engineering,
technology, and mathematics research and have it judged and
evaluated. Top projects advance to the INTEL International
Science Fair. The fair awards over $50,000 in awards each year.
Project Status: More than 1 year away |
Iowa State University, ISU Foundation, Iowa 4-H Foundation, private donations |
|
Andrea Spencer
SSTFI DIrector
Iowa State University
515-294-5738
|
| Technology Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) with Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and SmartBoards |
Teacher education faculty, in-service teachers, and
pre-service teachers will be collaborating to develop TPACK
for using SmartBoards to mediate classroom discussion of CGI
problem solving strategies. One team including at least one
of each type of participant will be researched using the
SmartBoards in terms of their collaboration and TPACK
development. The research team consists of experts in
technology for learning and multicultural education
including Dr. Ann Thompson, Dr. Denise Schmidt, Dr. Niki
Davis, Dr. Ana Correia, and Dr. James McShay Products will
include collaboration materials for other pre- and
in-service teachers, and SmartBoard templates for all
teachers using CGI problems to use. Templates and SmartBoard
use will be designed to be culturally relevant and support
ELL student learning.
Project Status: Planned for within a year |
Pending |
Ames Community School District
|
Jenna Seymour
Assistant Professor Mathematics Education
Iowa State University
515-294-5763
|
| The Carmen Sosa Farming Curriculum Project: A Planning Grant Towards Bridging Informal and Formal Math and Science Education to Enhance Talent Expansion and Teacher Performance and Recruitment in Iowa' Demographically-Transitioning Communities |
This project seeks to develop culturally- and linguistically-responsive informal curricula related to local organic farming initiatives that draws on the knowledge and skills of immigrant families and builds bridges with formal K-12 math and science curricula. It also works to design related talent expansion and career development programs to attract students to math and science and to develop informal-learning based professional development activities for math and science teachers.
Project Status: Current |
IMSEP |
University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Marshalltown Community College |
Dr. Katherine Richardson Bruna
Assistant Professor of Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies
Iowa State University
515-294-4144
|
| Toying With Technology |
The Toying With Technology program at Iowa State University was initiated during the 1996-97 academic year through a Miller Fellowship. The main idea driving this course was to offer a technology literacy class aimed at students, particularly education majors, who are in non-technical fields but want an appreciation for the technological innovations that surround them. TWT includes courses for education students and workshops for K-12 students and teachers. A graduate level two-credit course is being offered in the summer for in-service teachers.
Project Status: Current |
ISU College of Engineering and Gifts |
ISU College of Human Sciences |
Lawrence J. Genalo
Professor and Associate Chair, MSE Department
Iowa State University
515 294 4722
|
| TREE: Turtle Camp Research and Education in Ecology |
The Turtle Camp Research and Education in Ecology (TREE) program provides students with an opportunity to conduct ecological field research in early summer on reptiles in their natural environments along the Mississippi River, learn key ecological concepts, discuss their work with the public and the scientific community, and participate in multilevel reciprocal mentoring. High school, undergraduate, and graduate student participants come from diverse ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds, and thus the TREE program immerses traditionally underrepresented students in an environment of intensive education and research.
Project Status: Current |
National Science Foundation, Ecological Society of America |
Iowa State University Science Bound program |
Fredric J. Janzen
Professor
Iowa State University
515-294-4230
|
| When Science and Literacy Meet in the Primary Classroom (K-2): Investigating learning for young children when language events are connected to science inquiry |
This research project seeks to improve student performance for young children (K-2nd grade) in both science and language by linking science inquiry to embedded language and literacy opportunities in early childhood classrooms. This curriculum innovation, connecting science inquiry to opportunities to use language called embedded language practices, replicates authentic science investigations by supporting students' critical thinking and problem solving strategies through dialogue including the use of argumentation, reading non-fiction literature, and writing through pictorial and initial orthographic representations.
Project Status: Current |
Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust |
Area Education Agency 13, Lewis Central Community Schools (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Boone Community School District (Iowa), Turkey Valley School District (Jackson Junction, Iowa) |
Lori Norton-Meier
Assistant Professor
Iowa State University
515-294-1224
|
