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Full-Text Articles in Education

Time.....Is On Our Side?, Jerrid Kruse Jan 2009

Time.....Is On Our Side?, Jerrid Kruse

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Several articles in this issue explicitly note that their approach to the activity about which they write takes extra time. They make clear there is an “easier way to do it”. Yet the authors also note how the goals they have for students are better promoted through their “slower” activity. Whenever I discuss education reform with fellow teachers, the number one constraint that consistently arises is “time”.


Title Page - Table Of Contents Jan 2009

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.


Earthwatch Expedition: Taking Research Experiences To The Classroom, Katherine J. Megivern Jan 2009

Earthwatch Expedition: Taking Research Experiences To The Classroom, Katherine J. Megivern

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

I participated in the Live from the Field Earthwatch Expedition - Mammals of Nova Scotia, through a fellowship awarded by Wells Fargo. During this experience I participated in research to study the abundance of mammals in Nova Scotia and determine the effect of climate change on natural systems. After this experience I developed an inquiry project for my students in which they study the populations of insects. The students develop their own questions, collect data and make sense of their research. By investigating populations, students are encouraged to see the wonderful biodiversity right in their backyard! This article Promotes National …


Divide & Conquer, Lauren Hackman, Audrey Pohlmann Jan 2009

Divide & Conquer, Lauren Hackman, Audrey Pohlmann

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article presents a modified biology lab used to teach the cell cycle. Many traditional versions of the onion root tip lab are delivered in a “cookbook” format to review what students have already learned about the phases of the cell cycle. This modified version illustrates how the onion root tip lab can be much more meaningful when turned into an inquiry-based, exploratory activity to scaffold from a concrete experience to the more abstract process of cell division. This article promotes National Science Education Standards A, C, and G and Iowa Core Curriculum Standards 1, 2, and 5.


Nuts About Inquiry: Peanut Variation And Natural Selection, Lindsay M. C. Kasuga, Christine Evans Jan 2009

Nuts About Inquiry: Peanut Variation And Natural Selection, Lindsay M. C. Kasuga, Christine Evans

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Despite the numerous advantages of using inquiry, many teachers do not use this method because of issues such as time constraints and increased workload. In addition, content such as evolution is particularly problematic to teach because of the perceived lack of hands-on activities and societal pressures. This inquiry activity is designed to help students understand an important component of evolution by natural selection. Through this activity students better understand natural variation within populations using peanuts. Students are encouraged to make links between population data, population diversity and evolution by using collected data to construct and interpret graphs. This article promotes …


Heavy Metal, Emerald C. Wilson, Grant M. Kellogg Jan 2009

Heavy Metal, Emerald C. Wilson, Grant M. Kellogg

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

We use this metal oxidation inquiry activity to encourage students to investigate the law of conservation of matter by performing combustion reactions on readily available metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, tin, and zinc. After observing mass changes, we challenge students to consider from where additional mass of products comes. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and G and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, and 3.


Title Page - Table Of Contents Jan 2009

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.


Learning Theories: Pillars Of Teacher Decision-Making, Jerrid Kruse Jan 2009

Learning Theories: Pillars Of Teacher Decision-Making, Jerrid Kruse

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In the last issue, I articulated the argument that learning “styles” are not the most valuable way to understand learners. Yet, if learning “styles” do not sufficiently explain learning, how can we better conceptualize learning to inform our instruction?


Wow! Dna In My Food?: The Anatomy Of A Smoothie, Mike Zeller Jan 2009

Wow! Dna In My Food?: The Anatomy Of A Smoothie, Mike Zeller

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

While many students are able to speak at length about DNA, their fundamental understanding of the pervasiveness of DNA may still be unchanged. This activity is ideal for helping student link their classroom learning to their own daily experience and observations about DNA. Students also mentally engage by critically thinking about the physical and chemical properties of DNA. This article promotes National Science Education Standards A and C and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 6.


Stepping Stones: How Variation Leads To Natural Selection, Anne H. Weaver, Brian Ellis Jan 2009

Stepping Stones: How Variation Leads To Natural Selection, Anne H. Weaver, Brian Ellis

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This is the second of a series of articles in celebration of Charles Darwin's 200 birthday and the 150 anniversary of the publication of his seminal work On the Origin of Species. In the article below we discuss ways to introduce students to variation and develop their understanding of Natural Selection.


Title Page - Table Of Contents Jan 2009

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.


That’S Not My Style: Myths About Learning And Teaching, Jerrid Kruse Jan 2009

That’S Not My Style: Myths About Learning And Teaching, Jerrid Kruse

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The notion of “Learning styles” seems to be very popular these days in education. The idea that we all learn differently is intuitively appealing with the varied personalities, successes, and struggles of our students. However, the notion that each person learns differently is likely a myth (Olson, 2006; Feldon, 2005; Willingham, 2005). Students don't possess different learning styles; rather every student has unique prior knowledge, experiences, and developmental levels.


Heating Up The Classroom: Exploring Relationships Between Temperature And Thermal Energy, Shannon Mclaughlin, Mahima Bajpai Jan 2009

Heating Up The Classroom: Exploring Relationships Between Temperature And Thermal Energy, Shannon Mclaughlin, Mahima Bajpai

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Thermal energy, internal energy, temperature, and heat are words that carry very specific meanings. However, common usage and the lack of consistent usage from texts and teachers can interfere with students' abilities to develop a strong conceptual foundation of thermal energy (Westphal, 2003). Stiles (2006) suggests that using experiences to investigate relationships is an integral part of moving students from simple knowledge to deep understanding. Understanding, higher-order thinking skills, the ability to work and think collaboratively, effective communication skills, and the ability to make informed decisions are all important goals teachers should support through their instruction. Smith (1996), Freedman (1997), …


Why Charlie Darwin Matters More Than Ever: Introducing Students To Evolution And The Nature Of Science, Brian Ellis, Anne H. Weaver Jan 2009

Why Charlie Darwin Matters More Than Ever: Introducing Students To Evolution And The Nature Of Science, Brian Ellis, Anne H. Weaver

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In celebration of Charles Darwin's 200 Birthday and the 150 anniversary of the publication of his seminal work, On the Origin of Species, this is the first in a series of articles that highlight Darwin's relevance for teachers today and provide lesson plans to bring his work into your classroom. We begin with an introduction to Charles Darwin's life and work through storytelling, a first person monologue as a way to introduce students to several key concepts including the nature of science and a basic understanding of what lead Darwin to the concept of evolution.


Kicking The Tires Of Natural Selection: The Carriage Still Runs After 150 Years Jan 2009

Kicking The Tires Of Natural Selection: The Carriage Still Runs After 150 Years

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Science is both tentative and durable. This is its great strength: as we discover new evidence, or find new ways to interpret existing evidence, scientific ideas can be modified, offering us a more complete and reliable picture of the universe. Helping your students understand this aspect of science not only reduces their resistance to learning about evolution, but also encourages deeper understanding about how science works.


Simple Machines: Promoting Student Application And Reflection, Sarah Borzo Jan 2009

Simple Machines: Promoting Student Application And Reflection, Sarah Borzo

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Simple machines are a common elementary grades science topic. This article describes how I frame my simple machines unit using a problem and have students reflect on their initial designs as we learn about each machine. The students then apply their learning by preparing proposals for how they might use simple machines to aid in the building of a pyramid. This article promotes National Science Education Standards A, B, and E and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 5.


Weaving The Web Of Inquiry: An Activity Introducing Students To Marine Food Webs, Jena Kline, Ryan Dickinson Jan 2009

Weaving The Web Of Inquiry: An Activity Introducing Students To Marine Food Webs, Jena Kline, Ryan Dickinson

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This activity engages students in a biological investigation focusing on marine life. Students receive pictures of several marine organisms, make observations, and propose a possible food web which includes each of the organisms. Students also explain to the class their rationale behind the construction of their food web. This activity promotes increased familiarity with food webs, ecosystems, and energy flow. While this activity focuses on marine life, the activities and strategies could be used with most any ecosystem of interest. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A, C, F and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 2, 3, 4, and …


Investigating Solutions Through Inquiry, Dana Frits, Chris Siguenza Jan 2009

Investigating Solutions Through Inquiry, Dana Frits, Chris Siguenza

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In this article we discuss how many activities have valuable ideas, but important modifications must be made to make the activity more effective and mentally engaging. This article discusses the modification of a “cookbook” solubility lab into an inquiry activity, which increases student decisions and the promotion of higher-order thinking skills. We also address the critical role of the teacher in making the lesson effective. This article promotes National Science Education Standards A, B and G and Iowa Teaching Standards 2, 3, 4, and 6.


Cover Jan 2009

Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.


Front Matter Jan 2009

Front Matter

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.


Gully And Stream Bank Erosion In Three Pastures With Different Management In Southeast Iowa, George N. Zaimes, Richard C. Schultz, Mustafa Tufekcioglu Jan 2009

Gully And Stream Bank Erosion In Three Pastures With Different Management In Southeast Iowa, George N. Zaimes, Richard C. Schultz, Mustafa Tufekcioglu

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Gully and stream banks can be major sources of sediment and nutrients to surface waters, both major water quality problems in the United States. Sediment may also carry phosphorus to surface waters, the primary limiting nutrient causing eutrophication. Overgrazing can induce gully and stream bank erosion by reducing vegetation cover that weakens bank soil resistance to stream water flow. This study examines stream and gully bank erosion adjacent to continuous (CP), rotational (RP) and intensive rotational (IP) pastures, grazed by beef cattle in southeast Iowa. Stream and gully bank erosion were measured by: a) surveying the extent of the severely …


Dr. Lois Hattery Tiffany (1924-2009): In Memoriam, Deborah Q. Lewis Jan 2009

Dr. Lois Hattery Tiffany (1924-2009): In Memoriam, Deborah Q. Lewis

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Dr. Lois Hartery Tiffany, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, died on 6 September 2009. Dr. Tiffany was an outstanding mycologist and teacher. Held in high regard by the public as "Iowa's Mushroom Lady" and known by many students, colleagues and friends as "Dr. T.," she was the matriarch of the Botany Department (now the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology) at Iowa State.


Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors Jan 2009

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.


Som Loss And Soil Quality In The Clear Creek, Ia, A. N. Thanos Papanicolaou, Christopher G. Wilson, Ozan Abaci, Mohamed Elhakeem, Mary Skopec Jan 2009

Som Loss And Soil Quality In The Clear Creek, Ia, A. N. Thanos Papanicolaou, Christopher G. Wilson, Ozan Abaci, Mohamed Elhakeem, Mary Skopec

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The Clear Creek, IA Experimental Watershed (CCEW), which drains to the Iowa River, experiences severe surface erosion due to a combination of high slopes, erodible soils, and extensive agriculture. Concurrent with soil loss is the removal of Soil Organic Matter (SOM). High values of SOM have been related to soil quality; therefore, excessive SOM loss corresponds to degrading soil health. Soil quality assessments are important tools for evaluating management practices in agricultural systems; however, it is difficult to measure soil quality directly at the watershed scale because it varies with a number of site-specific soil characteristics. The coupling of soil …


Aryl Ethers From Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborate Salts: From Neat Reactions To Solvent-Mediated Effects, James A. Shriver, Daniel P. Flaherty, Cameron C. Herr Jan 2009

Aryl Ethers From Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborate Salts: From Neat Reactions To Solvent-Mediated Effects, James A. Shriver, Daniel P. Flaherty, Cameron C. Herr

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

A general procedure for the synthesis of various aryl ethers via the thermal decomposition of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate salts is described. Studies performed in neat alcohol at 60°C gave aryl ethers in yields ranging from 0-73%. Upon completion of a series of reactions, the effect of solvent was explored to expand the scope and relevance of this procedure. It was found that even solvents that are traditionally non-nucleophilic gave rise to products including bi-aryls and N-aryl acetamides. The utilization of an ionic liquid, l-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, resulted in yields comparable to reactions performed in neat alcoholic solvents.


Table Of Contents (Back Cover) Jan 2009

Table Of Contents (Back Cover)

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.


The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) Of The Channelized Missouri River, Ellet Hoke Jan 2009

The Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) Of The Channelized Missouri River, Ellet Hoke

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The lower Missouri River has historically been viewed as a fauna! barrier for unionids due to high sediment load. However this survey of the lower (channelized) Missouri River documented the presence of 14 unionid species and the exotic Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774). Unionids are present in stable substrates sheltered from the effects of the river's strong currents. Analysis of early literature on the Missouri River suggests reports of an absence of unionids were not based upon thorough fieldwork, and the most commonly cited rationale for their reported absence, the high sediment load in the river, is not convincing. Pre-1938 unionid …


Enhancing Iowa High School Students' Transition To College, K. E. Lassila, L. C. Rule, C. Lee, R. J. Driggs, G. Fulton, M. Skarda, J. Torres Y Torres Jan 2009

Enhancing Iowa High School Students' Transition To College, K. E. Lassila, L. C. Rule, C. Lee, R. J. Driggs, G. Fulton, M. Skarda, J. Torres Y Torres

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We present our studies of the transitions of Iowa science students from high school to post-secondary colleges. Our report summarizes information and impressions from dealing with thousands of new students arriving at our six colleges, along with meetings and discussions with high school science teachers to add their viewpoints into our considerations. Feedback from community college, four year college, and high school science teachers highlighted the following five study issues and needs for improving student transitions from high school to college science: 1) Better math preparation is needed; 2) More work with inquiry-based learning rather than with facts and memorization …