Iowa Monarch Conservation and Citizen Science Workshop

Friday, May 6th, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7th, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30-p.m.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (9981 Pacific St, Prairie City, IA 50228)

Public participation in science helps scientists answer big questions. Learn how to participate in several monarch butterfly citizen science programs and help researchers learn more about this incredible insect. The University of Minnesota Monarch Lab, in partnership with the Monarch Joint Venture, will instruct this workshop in conjunction with local Iowa habitat experts.

Register at: http://goo.gl/forms/S7QW1z1rtR Cost: $20 Accommodations: Lunch will be provided on May 7th. Small snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the workshop.

Apply for a GreenWorks! Environmental Improvement Grant

Project Learning Tree offers grants up to $1,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental service-learning projects that link classroom learning to the real world. Students implement an action project they help design to green their school or to improve an aspect of their neighborhood’s environment.

The projects partner students with their whole school, local businesses and/or community organizations, and provide opportunities for student leadership. The funds can be used by students to implement recycling programs at their school, conserve water and energy, establish school gardens and outdoor classrooms, improve a forest, or restore a natural habitat, for example.

Submit your completed application and W-9 online. Login or create an account, click “Apply for a Grant,” then follow the prompts to complete your submission. You will receive an automatic confirmation email through this system.  The deadline to apply is September 30, 2016 -- Funding will be distributed in December 2016.

Grant Requirements

• Applicants must have attended a Project Learning Tree training
  either online or in person.
• The proposed project must involve service-learning.
• The proposed project must demonstrate student voice.
• The proposed project must involve at least one community partner.
• The proposed project must secure at least 50% matched funds (in-kind acceptable).
• Grants must be completed in one year

Iowa Science Standards Summer Institutes: Supporting Classroom Transitions

Since the adoption of Iowa’s new science standards in August 2015, Iowa educators have been engaged in learning about the structure, foundations, and conceptual shifts of the new standards.

 

The Iowa Department of Education is sponsoring day-long science institutes June 15-17, 2016. With national and state science education leaders, participants will engage in three-dimensional science learning experiences and will explore various resources and instructional practices that support the standards.

 

Where: West Des Moines Valley High School
Times: 8:00AM-4:00PM (tentative times)

 

Each day will be focused on content and pedagogy for specific grade bands. Participation in this event assumes knowledge of the structure, foundations, and conceptual shifts of the standards; districts needing this overview of the standards should contact their AEA science consultants.

 

There is no registration fee but registration is required for planning purposes. On-line registration is now open:

Registration June 15 elementary school

Registration June 16 middle school

Registration June 17 high school

Cost: There is no cost to attend. Participants or their districts are responsible for any expenses incurred such as meals and mileage. There are a variety of off-site lunch locations near West Des Moines Valley High School. Lunch will also be available each day through West Des Moines Nutritional Services for $3.50/person.