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Proceedings Of The 119th Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2007], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Welcome from the Executive Director --- 3
Program Summary/Timeline --- 4
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 6
General Session Presentations --- 7
Symposia Presentations --- 10
Senior Poster Program --- 14
Awards Luncheon --- 16
President's Banquet --- 16
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 17
2006-2007 Officers and Volunteers --- 18
Notes --- 19
Field Trips --- 20
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 22
Abstracts (by Section) --- 27
Author Index --- 53

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V03n4, Winter 2007, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--Focus on an Institutional Member

--120th Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science

--GLOBE Activities for You and YOUR Students

--Committee on Committees and Elections Report to the Iowa Academy of Science Membership

--Financial Statement

--New Member Referral Program Report

America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie Activity Guide, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

K-12 Curriculum Supplements

This book is a K-12 curriculum supplement developed by the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa to accompany the film, America's Lost Landscape. The activity guide was used in the educators' workshop held at the University of of Northern Iowa in fall 2007.

Dna: Modeling Structure And Function, Jennifer A. R. Smith, Cynthia J. Martin

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article presents a developmentally appropriate approach to introduce high school biology students to the structure of DNA and illustrate how its structure and function are related. We address the importance of beginning instruction with a concrete representation of DNA, and using it to scaffold to several important biological concepts. We also make clear the teacher's crucial role in this scaffolding process. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards C and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7.

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

When Molecular Worlds Collide: Developing The Conceptual Groundwork Needed To Understand Molecular Motion, Scott M. Moore Jr., Kara Victorsen

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The activity described in this article introduces students to the concept of molecular motion and how it is affected by temperature using two simple ingredients: water and food coloring. In the hands of a highly effective science teacher, this activity will promote student inquiry, creative and critical thinking, effective communication, and cooperative learning. This activity is appropriate for use in both physical science and chemistry. The activity described here promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and G, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Synergistic Relationships: Why Effective Teaching Is Complex, Michael P. Clough

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The crucial role of teachers in creating powerful learning environments has been a consistent feature of editorials and articles appearing in ISTJ under my editorship. Research makes clear that what teachers do significantly impacts their students' achievement, interest in a field of study, and attitude toward schooling in general. The cognitive and affective climate of classrooms is influenced by the learning and behavioral expectations set by teachers, the activities and instructional strategies they choose, the behaviors they exhibit when interacting with students, and many other important teacher decisions.

On Cloud 9: Helping Students Relate The Concept Of Differential Heating To Changes In Weather, Elizabeth White, Morgan Pett

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Understanding the basic features that drive the weather is important for understanding weather forecasting. In this activity students investigate differential heating and then connect that understanding to weather. Students are required to design a procedure, collect data, and make sense of that data. These investigative skills require students to be mentally engaged, and better model what scientists do while highlighting the inquisitive nature of science. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A, B, D, and G and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 6.

How Are We Stacking Up?: Current Reforms In Science Education Twelve Years After Publication Of The National Science Education Standards, Robert E. Yager

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

In education Science-Technology-Society (STS) is commonly viewed as another add-on to a course or the curriculum. This view portrays STS as being plagued with the same problems as traditional teaching of science and technology; information is transmitted to students by lecture, verification laboratories, or textbooks and other written materials. This article presents the case that STS instruction, when effectively implemented, captures more broadly key aspects of both science and technology, and does not succumb to the common problems of traditional instruction. Essential characteristics of effective science teaching are presented.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V03n1, Winter 2007, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--New IAS Membership Brochure

--Evolution and Intelligent Design Conference

--REAP-CEP Program Funds Project WET

--National Outstanding New Biology Teacher

--119th Annual Meeting

--Financial Statements 2007

--Expedition Iowa

--A Message from Our President

--IAS Section Update

--Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science Update

--Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Weather Factors Influencing Winter Roosts Of American Crows In Central Iowa, Joshua D. Obrecht, Stephen J. Dinsmore

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

We investigated the effects of season and weather on the winter roosting behavior of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in central Iowa from January through March 2006. The peak number of birds recorded at a roost in Ames, Story County was 9,000+ in early February, and the number of individuals entering the roost decreased through February and March. Crows tended to enter the roost later in the day as winter neared completion. High wind speed and low light intensity caused individual to enter the roost earlier in the day. Temperature did not affect arrival time of crows. Wind speed, light intensity, …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Iowa Academy Of Science 119th Annual Meeting [2007]: Advance Program, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2007 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Playing Games To Build Understanding, Michele Carnahan, Bridgette Stevens

Faculty Work

I am fortunate. I teach from Investigations in Number, Data, and Space [TERC] (1996), a standards-based elementary mathematics curriculum. My evolution from teaching in a traditional teacher-centered approach to one that supports a student-centered community of learners has been a slow and gradual process during the past six years of teaching. Fortunately, through experience, professional development, and graduate level courses, I have come to appreciate the conceptual understanding students acquire from learning mathematics via a student-centered approach and how playing games is an effective instructional strategy for learning mathematics. As intended by the authors of Investigations and envisioned by the …

No Child Left Behind Act : Implications And Strategies For Middle School Science Teaching, Kimberly A. Holmes

Graduate Research Papers

The No Child Left Behind Act was enacted to ensure quality education for all students. Despite the constraints of the No Child Left Behind Act, the teacher has the responsibility to provide quality science education for the students. This paper will guide teachers in selecting instructional strategies that have been supported by research that closely meets the research-based standards provided by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Geometric Reasoning In Four-Year-Old Children, Christina Eyres Sales

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study addresses the curriculum issues of young children's geometric knowledge and how they can learn about geometry in early education. To investigate, I designed a pattern block frame activity that was the focus of a seven-week intervention with four-year-old children in a constructivist classroom. All children were considered at-risk for school failure. The investigation is rooted in my unsatisfying experiences with pattern blocks in my preschool classrooms.

Data were obtained from a pre and posttest assessment administered to ascertain the effects of the intervention on all children in the classroom and from observations of children's behavior as they engaged …

Mathematics Education: An International Perspective, Lisa Roose

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of my thesis/project is to research mathematics education in the United States, Japan, and South Africa. Japan and South Africa were chosen as countries ranking significantly above and below the United States respectively on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study in recent years. The roles and value of education of each country's culture throughout history will be investigated. After gaining a historical perspective of each country, the current education systems, including the school organization, equity, curriculum, students, staff, and reasons for recent reform, will be explored. Finally, mathematics education will be studied along with each country's strengths …

Mathematics And Spanish: A Comparative Approach Of Teaching Methods, Emily R. Borcherding

Honors Program Theses

Teaching methods in various academic disciplines are all connected. Whether one looks at various content areas, grade levels, or ability levels, teaching methods all share important similarities, as well as sharp contrasts. The meta-analysis and case study address the comparisons between teaching mathematics and Spanish at the secondary education level. In the study, a review of literature is conducted and case studies are analyzed in order to see the role of written and oral communication in mathematics and Spanish education. Throughout the study, written and oral communication, through teacher-student and student-student communication methods, show a strong overlap and supporting role …

Ists E-Newsletter, November 15, 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President, Gale Vermeulen

--A Message From Your Past President, Michael Clough

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

--News

--Announcements

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V02n4, Autumn 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Executive Director Message

--Science Teaching Section Name Election

--Changes to IAS Sections

--Iowa Junior Academy of Science Supporting Student Inquiry

--ISTS President's Message

--Iowa Science Teachers Section Fall Conference

--In Memoriam: James A. Van Allen

Ists E-Newsletter, September 15, 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--A Message from Your President

--Fall Conference News

--from the Past President/Conference Chair

--An Invitation

--Breakfasts

--15 Reasons to Attend

--Announcements

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V02n3, Summer 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--InnoCentive

--Saylorville 2006 Weather Talk

--Jane Haugen receives Gold Star

--GLOBE ONE Posters go to Thailand

--Education and the Environment

--Upcoming Programs

Ists E-Newsletter, May 15, 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--A Message from Your (New) President

--Announcements

--Opportunities

--Your ISTS Leadership

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V02n2, Spring 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--Iowa’s Young Scientists Shine at American Junior Academy of Science Conference

--Iowa Academy of Science Election 2006

--Saylorville Visitor Center

--IAS Donors

--Iowa Science Teachers Section Fall Conference

Ists E-Newsletter, February 15, 2006, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

-- A Message from Your President

--ISTS Fall Conference News, Message From Our Past President

--Announcements

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Rounding Up Students' Conceptions On Circular Motion, Shannon Mclaughlin

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight on how introducing circular motion with a carefully designed sequence of demonstrations and activities consistent with the national standards, pedagogical knowledge, and research-based instructional practices can flush out students' conceptions of forces and motion, and set a conceptual foundation for understanding uniform circular motion. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards A, B, and E, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Circuits Without Wires?: Helping Students Understand The Power Of Ions, Elizabeth Potter, Caroline Kelly

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

The activity described here provides an inquiry experience using familiar materials to promote student exploration and understanding of ions and ionic compounds. Familiar materials throughout the laboratory help students relate science to the real world and students are able to use their understanding of those materials. This activity uses an inquiry approach that requires students to make more decisions about their experiment, but does not expect students to discover scientific ideas. This article identifies many ways that the nature of science should be incorporated into the learning experience so that students improve their understanding of what science is and how …