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Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V11n2, Summer 2015, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Table of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science --- 1, 3
ICTM-ISTS Math Science Conference --- 2, 3
ISTS Pre-conference Event --- 3
IAS Education Programs --- 4, 5
National Congress on Science Education --- 6
128th IAS Annual Meeting --- 7
New Horizon's Flyby --- 7
Corporate Members --- 7
Contact IAS --- 8
Institutional Members --- 8

Invention Through Form And Function Analogy, Audrey C. Rule

Faculty Book Gallery

Invention through Form and Function Analogy is an invention book for teachers and other leaders working with youth who are involving students in the invention process. The book consists of an introduction and set of nine learning cycle formatted lessons for teaching the principles of invention through the science and engineering design principles of form and function. An appendix contains sets of color, illustrated cards to be printed onto cardstock paper and used for sorting and sequencing activities during the lessons. This set of lessons has been field-tested with elementary and middle school students by teachers and was improved through …

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V11n1, Winter 2015, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Table of Contents

Executive Director Message --- 1
Annual Meeting --- 2, 3
Candidate Profiles --- 4, 5, 6
Donations --- 7
Institutional and Corporate Members --- 8

Special Speciation, Lyn L. Countryman, Jill D. Maroo

Faculty Publications

Considerable anecdotal evidence indicates that some of the most difficult concepts that both high school and undergraduate elementary-education students struggle with are those surrounding evolutionary principles, especially speciation. It’s no wonder that entry-level biology students are confused, when biologists have multiple definitions of “species.” We developed this speciation activity to provide clarity and allow students a hands-on experience with a speciation model.

Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Population Genetic Structure Of Asclepias Tuberosa In Northwest Iowa: A Comparison Within And Between Remnant Prairies And Commercially Available Seed, Jeffrey T. Ploegstra, Brittany De Ruyter, Tony Jelsma

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Isolated in scattered remnants, less than 0.1% of Iowa’s original tallgrass prairie remains. The small populations remaining are at risk for reduced genetic diversity, inbreeding depression, and outbreeding depression. In light of these concerns, we used microsatellite analysis to assess the genetic structure of butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) populations on prairie remnants in northwest Iowa. We compared remnant populations with a restoration population at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and with an Oklahoma seed source. Microsatellites identified for use in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) had sufficient polymorphism information content (PIC) across the butterfly milkweed ( …

Understanding By Design Unit Lesson Plans For The Next Generation Science Standards: Life Science, Arie Schiller

Graduate Research Papers

The project that I focused on for my Creative Component is the creation of Understanding by Design (UbD) unit lesson plans that address the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in the topic of Evolution. When the final framework was released of the NGSS in 2011, the need for teachers to revisit and align their curriculum became a necessary step to ensure appropriate content was taught. In the fall of 2013, Keokuk Community School District decided science teachers would begin implementing the new NGSS, anticipating that the state of Iowa will adopt the standards.

This creative component includes lesson plans correlated …

Implementation Of The Environmental Issues Instruction Model By Elementary Teachers, Barbara Ann Ehlers

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Teachers attend many professional development experiences throughout their professional careers. Many teachers attend because they have a personal desire for professional growth. In addition, in the state of Iowa, they are required to engage in professional development to renew teacher licensure. Professional development is offered on a myriad of topics including the latest educational research on learning, innovations in curriculum, and instructional strategies to use in the classroom. However, just attending does not guarantee improved professional practice. After these experiences teachers may or may not implement the strategies, teaching methods, or information they have learned.

This qualitative study analyzed data …

Do Teacher Judgment Accuracy And Teacher Feedback Predict Student Achievement In Elementary And Middle-School Science?, Mason Albert Kuhn

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The quest to find the most effective approach to teach science has challenged teachers and scholars for decades (Ford, 2012; Kuhn, 2010a; Duschl, Schweingruber, & Shouse, 2007). Unfortunately, the recent push for quality science education in schools has not yet resulted in higher achievement on standardized science assessments in the United States. The increased focus on science in school and the lack of growth on national and international standardized assessment has led to reformed-based policies, such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), that ask teachers to teach in a way that emulates the practices of scientific inquiry, including argument-based …

Instruction And Standards-Referenced Grading In A 9th Grade Conceptual Physics Classroom, John C. Chai

Graduate Research Papers

In recent years, a radical method of assessing students has been gaining popularity. An increasing number of school systems in Iowa and nationwide are implementing standards-referenced grading (Stegmeir, 2014). In standards-referenced grading, grades are determined only by academic factors. This makes grades more accurate, fair, and useful for students and parents. While standards-referenced grading can offer many benefits, stakeholders can often resist making the change (Stegmeir, 2014). The goal of this project is to provide an example of exemplary physics instruction that is assessed using standards-referenced grading in a 9th grade conceptual physics classroom.

The Inclusion Of Engineering Design Into The High School Biology Curriculum, Cody D. Lakose

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project is to develop engineering-based lessons for a life science course,i.e. biology, in order to meet the NGSS standards as well as increase student interest in engineering by incorporating the principles of engineering design into the traditional science classroom.

Free Online Resources Not To Miss For Teaching Middle School Mathematics, Clayton M. Edwards

Curriculum & Instruction Faculty Publications

Do you need an infusion of richer tasks into your middle level mathematics classroom? Ask yourself the following questions:

-- Have you been using the same text for your mathematics curriculum for multiple years?

-- Has the promise of your text being “Iowa Core compatible” failed to come to fruition? • Are you a new middle school mathematics instructor and feel stuck with the materials present when you first got your job?

-- Are your middle school students generally lacking excitement towards any curricular choices you make or materials you use?

-- Do you wish your students would show and …

Biblical Literalism And The Acceptance Of Biological Evolution In Christian University Students, Heather N. Chamberlain

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Is it possible to accept biological evolution without rejecting God? Understanding student perspectives about religious belief and biological evolution is important to effectively teach science. There are many factors in this complex relationship and this study explored three: differences in Christian denominations, interpretation of scripture, and perspectives of the relationship between religious belief with acceptance of evolution. The participants were freshman elementary education majors at a Midwest university who completed a questionnaire about religious beliefs and the Inventory of Student Evolution Acceptance (I-SEA).

The results indicated no significant difference between Christian denomination and acceptance of evolution. Participants who took the …