New NGSS Video Resources Available

New videos highlighting the Educators Evaluating Quality in Instructional Products (EQuIP) for Science rubric are now available online. Developed through a collaboration between Achieve and the Teaching Channel, the video series uses rich conversations emerging from a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) EQuIP training session to illustrate important features of NGSS-aligned instructional materials and classroom activities. 

Each stand-alone video focuses on educators using different aspects of the EQuIP rubric and captures discussions of what to look for in NGSS instructional materials, as well as the evaluation and feedback process that the rubric is designed to support. Each video also highlights some of the common ideas and frequently asked questions that emerge during an EQuIP for Science training session.

For teachers, this series explores what the NGSS might look like in the classroom and how to think about shifts in the instructional materials that will support a transition to the standards. The videos are part of a growing suite of NGSS EQuIP resources, including the EQuIP Rubric for Lessons & Units: Science and the NGSS EQuIP Professional Learning Facilitator's Guide.

 

NGSS EQuIP Rubric: Overview
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/ngss-rubric-intro-achieve  

NGSS EQuIP Rubric: 3-Dimensional Learning
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/3-dimensional-learning-achieve 

NGSS EQuIP Rubric: Using Phenomena
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/using-phenomena-achieve 

NGSS EQuIP Rubric: Evidence of Student Learning
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/evidence-student-learning-achieve 

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Learn more about Iowa invasive species as we celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week (February 21-27).

Iowa DNR Aquatic Invasive Plants fact sheets

Iowa DNR Aquatic Invasive Invertebrates fact sheets

Invasive Species Conservation Class Outline (9-12 Agriculture & Science classes)

Invasive Species in Iowa lesson plan (High School)

What are invasive species?
Invasive species are species of organism that are not native to an ecosystem and which cause harm. Invasive species generally grow and reproduce quickly, and spread aggressively with the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, and even human health.

 

How do they spread?
Invasive species are spread intentionally and unintentionally through human activity. Throughout history people have introduced foreign species to new environments for aesthetic and economic reasons. Species are also introduced inadvertently on ships, in wood products, through ornamental plants, pet trade, and other means of transportation.

Why are they bad?

Invasive species can cause harm various ways. They pose a threat to native animal species by outcompeting native species for resources, preying on native species, and carrying diseases that harm them. Invasive plant species displace native plant species. They can quickly take over an area causing clogged waterways, and improper growth and germination of native plants species. Many invasive plant species provide no food value to native animal species. All invasive species also threaten the delicate balance of entire ecosystems by disrupting the natural food web, decreasing biodiversity, and altering ecosystem conditions.

What can you do?

• Plant natives in your yard and remove any invasive.
• Learn to identify invasive species in your area.
• Report invasive plant and animal sightings to your local county extension office.
• If you are traveling to another country or region, check your baggage and vehicle for “hitchhikers”.
• When boating always clean your boat and check it for aquatic invasive species before putting it into another body of water.
• When camping do not bring your own firewood, instead buy locally grown firewood.

Ideas for invasive species class, family, or community projects

• Plant native grasses, flowers, and trees in your yard or schoolyard.
• Design and implement a local invasive species study.
• Raise awareness of invasive species. Put together an awareness poster or campaign and help spread the word.

Iowa Citizens Playing Key Role in Tracking Imperiled Wildlife

Citizen scientists across Iowa make enormous contributions to wildlife conservation each year as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Volunteer WildlifeMonitoring Program (VWMP). This program trains wildlife enthusiasts to observe and collect data on bald eagle nests among other things. 

 

Program Coordinator Stephanie Shepherd explains, “We just don’t have enough staff in the DNR to adequately monitor all the vulnerable species that we need to. This is where citizen scientists play a crucial role.”  Every March and April, Shepherd travels around the state to lead training workshops that prepare folks to collect data on some of Iowa’s critical wildlife. 

 

In 2015, trained, volunteer monitors submitted data on 163 Bald Eagle Territories from around the state. Observations of nesting started in early March and wrapped up in June.  Across three visits to each nest, citizen scientists collected information on their assigned nest’s activity; how many young were produced and how many of those young successfully fledged from the nest. “This data collection requires lots of patience and some good optics in order to watch the nest from a distance and not disturb the birds,” Shepherd indicates. 

Volunteers also collected data on two species of raptor which have only been restored to Iowa in the recent past; osprey and peregrine falcons. These species are not as widespread as eagles but volunteers were still able to gather information on 14 nest sites.  

 

“The Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program provides an opportunity for adults who love the outdoors and wildlife to be directly involved with the conservation and monitoring of Iowa’s resources. The work done is crucial to the well-being of these species,” said Shepherd.

 

If you are interested in getting involved, registration are now being accepted for the 2016 workshops. Space is limited and it will be first come, first serve.  For more information or to download a registration form, visit the Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program website.  .

 

2016 Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Workshops

• March 5, 2016 – 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. – CLAYTON COUNTY in partnership with the Clayton County Conservation Board.

o    Location: Osborne Park Nature Center near Elkader, IA

·         March 12, 2016 – 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. – WAYNE COUNTY in partnership with the Wayne County Conservation Board.

o    Location: Bobwhite State Park, Wayne County Conservation Offices, near Allerton, IA.

·         March 19, 2016 – 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. – SAC COUNTY in partnership with the Sac County Conservation Board.

o    Location: Sac County Conservation Center near Sac City, IA.

Classroom Field Investigations

Field investigations create an essential link between classroom activities and what students see and experience outside the school settings. They can provide students with examples of how the science concepts they learn in class are used in everyday life.

Field investigations encourage students to ask questions, explore, observe, and investigate their local environment. Direct observation can provide a stimulating and rewarding experience for you and your students.

Outdoor experiences in nature increase students’ problem solving abilities and motivation to learn in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Conducting classroom field investigations help students become systems thinkers, learn the skills of scientific inquiry, and understand that science doesn’t only happen in a laboratory or classroom.

Learn more about field investigations and scientific inquiry with these great resources:

Aquatic WILD
Engaging students in scientific inquiry
Field Investigations: Using Outdoor Environments to Foster Student Learning of Scientific Processes
FILLING THE TOOL BOX: Classroom Strategies to Engender Student Questioning
Inquiry-based Learning
Inquiry Based Science: What Does It Look Like?
Teaching with Great Lakes Data
University of Montana 

BirdSleuth School Garden Grant

School gardens provide the context for lessons across subjects and offer a wonderful opportunity to engage students in hands-on, project-based learning opportunities. Students that engage in school gardening are likely to experience academic, physical, emotional, social, and even behavioral benefits.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is seeking ten dedicated teachers within the United States who strive to bring STEM and healthy living from the garden to the classroom. These teachers will receive a $500-$2,000 grant, gardening supplies, and BirdSleuth’s Habitat Connections kit. Funds may be used to support the building or revitalization of school gardens. In addition to food gardens, preference will be given to bird, pollinator, native habitat, rain, and other natural projects.

Application Process & Eligibility
The application is open to all K-12 schools, public and private, within the United States. Application deadline is February 15, 2016. All applicants will be notified on February 22, 2016. At least half the gardens funded will be underserved, high-need, urban schools. Apply now. Email birdsleuth@cornell.edu with any questions.

Grant Details & Timeline

• All winners will be notified February 22, 2016.
• Selected winners must first attend an online training either March 3 at 7pm ET or March 7 at 8pm ET. Upon completion, 75% of the allocated funds will be provided along with the Habitat Connections kit.
• Between March and June, the winning schools must implement their proposed garden plan and the kit lessons.
• A final report is required no later than July 1, 2016 from each school. This final report will consist of a brief survey and sharing the school’s progress on the BirdSleuth Action Map. Upon submission of the final report, each school will receive the remaining 25% of the funds to support continuation of the project.

Counting Birds for Science

Bundle up, grab your binoculars and head out to count birds for science! Join in on the 2016 Great Backyard Bird Count. 

Simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 12-15, 2016. Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Since then, more than 100,000 people of all ages and walks of life have joined the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds.
 
If you’re new to the count, first register online then enter your checklist.