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Ists E-Newsletter, February, 2007, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President, Gale Vermeulen

--A Message From Your President-Elect, Traci Maxted

--News

--Announcements

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Panther All-Star Gives Back, The Northern Iowan, January 23, 2007

Noteworthy People of UNI Documents

Kurt Warner graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993 and was named the Gateway Conference's Offensive Player of the Year. He played for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League and for the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He is the only person to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Arena Football Hall of Fame. In the 1999 season playing for the St. Louis Rams, he was named the NFL Most Valuable Player and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.

Spring 2007 Film Series [Poster], University Of Northern Iowa. Holocaust Remembrance And Education Program.

Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education Documents

A poster advertising the Spring 2007 film series of the Holocaust Remembrance and Education Program.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda, January 22, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting agenda from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, January 22, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Graduate Council Minutes, January 11, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate Council.

Documents - Graduate Council

Meeting minutes from the Graduate Council of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, January 8, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda, January 8, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting agenda from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

The Role Of The School Counselor And Internet Predators, Julie A. Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Children and adolescents are vulnerable in person and now have become vulnerable through technology. The Internet is becoming larger, and so are the opportunities for predators to contact children. Using the Internet and online chat rooms, sexual predators begin to groom their victims and move the relationship forward. Children become involved in sexual photographs, videos, and telephone conversations. Eventually, a meeting is set up between the child and the predator.

Many people need to be provided information to keep children safe, and the issue needs to be addressed at all governmental and educational levels. School counselors can take charge and …

Beyond Bone Dry Memorization: Using Comparative Anatomy To Better Understand How The Human Body Works, Ben Overman, Katherine Larson

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Oftentimes students learn about the skeletal system by simply viewing pictures of bones or, if they are fortunate, by observing real bones, but then going no further than being told the names of the bones. While this approach may result in students recalling names and locations of particular bones, it does not promote an understanding of these individual structures' function and importance. Here we present an inquiry approach to teaching human anatomy that has students observe body movements, comparing these observations to other species, and then returning to look more deeply into the role of bones. This inquiry approach to …

Wait Just A Moment!, Michael P. Clough

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

My previous ISTJ editorial addressed the importance of teachers' questioning for accurately diagnosing students' thinking, for helping students perceive where their ideas and thinking may be problematic, and for moving students toward desired conceptual understanding. Asking thought-provoking questions is not intuitive, and much effort is required to develop effective questioning patterns. To improve their questioning, some teachers place an easily seen poster in the room with words and phrases such as “How?,” “What?,” “To what extent…?,” “If…, then…?” These prompts help them avoid asking yes/no questions that begin with “Can?,” “Do?,” “Should?,” and “Will?” Another strategy is to write down …

Kiloclips And Millipens: An Introduction To Units Of Measure, Matthew D. Bannerman, Casey J. Brown, Doug Martin

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article presents a physical science activity for introducing units of measure and the role of human beings in deciding units of measure and their standards. These important science ideas are introduced through inquiry, and in a way that makes this activity appropriate for the beginning of the school year. The manner that this activity is done promotes mental engagement, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the targeted concepts. In doing so, it helps set expectations for the entire course that students will be actively engaged in learning. The activity uses common objects to serve as standards for mass and …

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Can A Bird Build-A-Beak? Using Inquiry To Address Student Misconceptions About Animal Adaptation, Katherine Larson, Mandy Kemp

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The fifth grade activity presented here is a modified version of a common cookbook approach to teaching animal adaptations. The original activity gave step-by-step directions that provided few opportunities for students to be engaged in deep thinking. In presenting our version of the activity, we make clear the critical role of the teacher in promoting higher order thinking and engagement. This animal adaptation activity helps students understand how the structure of various bird beaks determines the type of food it can successfully acquire and eat. This activity addresses two common misconceptions: that animals choose their adaptations and that animals adapt …

It's Alive! I Think . . .: Students Investigate What Defines Something As Living, Garrett Hall, Jesse Wilcox

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Students often have misconceptions about what makes something alive or not, and few have a concept of what characterizes living things similar to that of biologists. The activity presented here mentally engages students in an inquiry-based way to teach students about the characteristics of life that will be revisited throughout the school year. We also use this activity to explicitly draw students' attention to effective inquiry skills, cooperative learning, and promote a deep understanding of the nature of science. The activity described here promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, C, and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1-6.

A Summer Full Of Science: Creating Summer Science Education Opportunities For Elementary Children, Deanna Savits, Ramona Satre

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Science learning shouldn't stop when school is out for the summer. Opportunities abound to build a presence for science during the summer months (Hymer, 2005). Distances and finances to offer minds-on, hands-on science instruction sometimes restrict those living in rural communities. This article addresses how one small, rural school district successfully developed, planned and carried out a one-day summer science camp by enlisting the help of local high school volunteers. This summer science camp serves as an example of how an idea can grow and touch the lives of many others. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standard A …

Colorful Geology: Using Crayons To Model The Rock Cycle, Sarah White

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The activity presented here is appropriate in a unit addressing the rock cycle and related concepts. Many variations of this activity exist, but the version below emphasizes student inquiry and decision-making. In doing so, it encourages mental engagement and promotes a deeper understanding of important geological concepts. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and D, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Chariton Herald-Patriot Article, Bill Howes

Verle McFarland Shanks Documents

Documents from Verle McFarland Shanks, a student at Iowa State Teachers College and a teacher in one-room schoolhouses in Lucas County, Iowa in the 1920s and 1930s, including a teaching contract, an interview with her great-granddaughter, and a selection of poems and memories.

Exercise : Nature's Defense Against Depression And Anxiety, Holly A. Dorenkamp

Graduate Research Papers

Exercise and mental health is a relatively new area of study within health care and mental health disciplines. Whereas many mental health professionals focus on the mental status of clients, research suggests that physical health, exercise in particular, has a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Currently, typical treatment approaches lean toward psychotropic medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. However, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are becoming so widespread that other effective and affordable treatment approaches and options are greatly needed and vital to the overall mental health of society. Utilizing exercise in the treatment …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Christopher A. Cartee

Graduate Research Papers

There are many issues facing today's educators and educational leaders. These issues are exactly why I decided to return to education after a career in law enforcement. I would like to tell you why I became an educator. I will also analyze the importance of using reflective practice as a principal or teacher. I will examine the current research pertaining to the role of the leader in terms of educational change, adult and student learning, and service.

Adolescent Dating Abuse, Becky Krieg

Graduate Research Papers

Abuse can take on many forms. Many adolescents have not developed a full understanding of what a healthy relationship is. Dating abuse is becoming problematic within the adolescent population and a growing concern for those in the field of school counseling. School counselors need to be able to recognize signs of both potential abusers and their victims, and provide prevention and intervention strategies involved with adolescent dating abuse. Through education and involvement of the school and community, counselors will be effective in helping to diminish the cycle of dating abuse among adolescents.

Crisis Management In Education, Jamie L. Cusick

Graduate Research Papers

A crisis management team and crisis management plan is essential when a traumatic event or crisis occurs. The roles of professionals, including superintendent, principal, school counselor, and teacher should be outlined within the crisis management plan. A crisis management team helps the school community remain calm and exert appropriate activities. A crisis management plan allows the crisis management team to effectively help students, faculty and staff, and the community.

Rock On!: Providing Concrete Experiences Prior To Introducing Formal Geology Definitions, Rachel Banasiak, Jody Beimer

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

How can teachers mentally engage students in order to promote a deeper understanding of rock classification systems? Hands-on activities, while essential, are not enough. Students must have “minds-on” experiences as well (NRC, 1996). Inquiry lessons that encourage investigating, questioning, discovering, negotiating, making claims based on evidence and applying information to new situations encourage the mental engagement required for learning. The activity presented here has students meaningfully investigate and come to understand similarities and differences between metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks before being introduced to those terms. In doing so, it focuses students' attention on understanding rather than memorization. This article …

Panther First Recipients Of 2007, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Panther First Awards

The Panther First Award identifies and rewards employees who have provided excellent customer service to customers, co-workers, or other members of the UNI community. This is the list of recipients from 2007.

An Inventory Of The Vascular Flora Of Hamilton County, Iowa (2001-2004), Jimmie D. Thompson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

A botanical survey of the vascular flora of Hamilton County, Iowa was conducted from 2001 to 2004. During this survey 973 taxa (761 native) were encountered. A search of the literature and a survey of Iowa State University's Ada Hayden Herbarium for additional documented specimens added 28 taxa to the flora. This total of 1001 taxa places Hamilton County fourth in vascular plant richness among inventories conducted in Iowa since 1950. A checklist including common names of most taxa, habitat and abundance data for all taxa encountered during the current survey is presented. Information on earlier collections includes source and …

Front Matter

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Narrow Sense Heritability And Additive Genetic Correlations In Alfalfa Subsp. Falcata, Heathcliffe Riday, E. Charles Brummer

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The complex genetics of autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) make additive genetic variance component estimation difficult. Halfsib family variances often are used to estimate additive genetic variances and, by extension, narrow sense heritabilities and additive genetic correlations. These estimates contain a portion of the dominance variance. Using such calculations, in conjunction with parent-offspring covariance estimates, the dominance component can be separated from the additive genetic component. This is rarely done. This study reports average estimates across 30 populations, of both additive and dominance variance component estimates based on between halfsib family variance and parent-offspring covariance for biomass yield, plant height, …

Fall And Winter Food Habits Of Bobcats (Lynx Rufus) In Iowa, Kelcey J. Brockmeyer, William R. Clark

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a widely distributed native felid of North America but nearly disappeared from Iowa due to habitat loss and unregulated harvest that occurred during the century after European settlement. Bobcats are repopulating the state and are now relatively common in southern Iowa. This study was part of a research project to understand the ecology of the species in Iowa's landscape so that conservation plans could be established. We determined food habits by the examination of stomach contents from 100 bobcat carcasses that were accidentally killed in traps, killed by automobiles, or radio-marked individuals found dead during …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Julia M. Jorgenson

Graduate Research Papers

To be an effective leader, one needs to have many characteristics. She needs to be a leader of reflection, change, learning and service. When a principal reflects, she will be a better principal. She will know how to make better decisions. A leader that makes changes is an effective leader. With reflection, a principal can realize what needs to be changed to help students in her school. A principal needs to be constantly learning and encouraging her teachers to continue their learning. When principals and teachers continue learning, they can be better educators. Finally, principals need to be service oriented. …

A Vision For Leading : A Reflective Essay, Carrie M. Heinzerling

Graduate Research Papers

Being a leader has many important aspects. Education added to the leadership adds many new dimensions. Principals take the hopes and dreams of students and adults into their care. The leadership role taken on by principals has to incorporate many qualities. Principals must be leaders of learning, leaders of change, leaders of improvement for students and adults, and leaders of service. Principals have a lot on their plates. They are leaders of everything from learning to change. They have to be managers of time and money, and they have to be leaders of curriculum and data analysis.