Eastern Iowa Science CollaborativeJanuary 30, 2009

Inquiry Geographic Information Systems in Science Teaching: iGISST

IGISST professional development

What is IGISST?

• 3 year grant NCLB Title II program• University of Iowa and Grant Wood AEA

partnership• 50 Secondary Science and interdisciplinary

teachers• 100 hours PD supported by stipends/sub pay• 5 graduate credits/year in Earth/Environmental

Science- leading to Earth Science endorsement.

1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act

• Code of Iowa, 455E.8

• Develop a program…regarding water quality issues which shall be included in the minimum program required in grades seven and eight pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education under section 256.11, subsection 4.

Improve science teaching and learning in grades 6-12

through an intensive Professional Development (PD) program (100 hours/year)

Majority of time (3 grad credits) in Summer 09:

1. Lakeside Labs

2. Colorado

3. Local Cedar Rapids investigation

Lakeside Labs

Dr. Mary Skopec

Dr. John Dunkhase

• Colorado Summer IGISST program

through an intensive Professional Development (PD) program (100

hours/year)

Improve science teaching and learning in grades 6-12

– incorporating inquiry teaching

Learning Objectives:

discuss how an instructional model that sequences learning experiences can help students build a deeper understanding of important Earth system science concepts;

Improve science teaching and learning in grades 6-12

How can mapping data help students explore Earth processes like plate tectonics and their connection to extreme Earth events, such as earthquakes?

– GIS data analysis tools

Improve science teaching and learning in grades 6-12

– into a problem-based learning instructional framework.

What is IGISST?

• Problem-based learning• Outdoor field investigations• Science as Inquiry• Work with data analysis, geolocation (GIS)

and other scientific tools for scientifically valid measurements

• Curriculum integration with water quality as a context for Earth, Life and Physical science courses

IGISST Project content

• Curriculum integration with field research lessons

• Earth/Environmental content knowledge

http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/vastscience/igisst.html