Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Numeracy In The Early Years: Project Good Start, Sue Thomson, Ken Rowe, Catherine Underwood, Ray Peck

School and system improvement

Project Good Start investigated the effectiveness of numeracy programmes for Australian children in the year before school and the first year of schooling. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected from pre-schools, early childhood centres and primary schools, tovinvestigate the practice and learning experiences that best support children’s early numeracy development.

Phases Of Web Based Curriculum Development, William Robertson

Departmental Papers (TE)

The Phases of Curriculum Development may be useful in helping educators facilitate this process of integrating computer technology and the Internet into classroom instruction and curriculum design. The method described is a synthesis of a personal process of discovery, teaching, and learning that has come from practical experience with teachers and students. To effectively utilize this five-phased approach, the instructor must first identify the final goal, whether it is a curriculum product, Web site, oral presentation, or some other form of demonstration of learning. Also, the basic concepts that are to be covered must be identified first and matched to …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending February 28, 2005, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has included the following highlights:

• Hired Forever Earth/WOW Project Manager Daphne Sewing
• Hired Environmental Education Strategy Project Manager Allison Brody
• Completed five WOW curriculum modules
• Formed a partnership with Clark County Parks and Community Services to pilot WOW events in Spring 2005
• Scheduled first WOW event during the week of March 21, 2005
• Completed Forever Earth orientation trip on February 25, 2005
• Finalized Forever Earth legal documents and insurance requirements

Ists E-Newsletter, February 2005, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President

--ISTS April Administrative Meeting

--Congratulations to our members

--Announcements

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: January 18, 2005, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from November 16, 2004 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Presentation of Science Curriculum – Paul Buck (30 min.)
4. Line and Space Architects
   Presentation of Schematic Designs– Les Wallach/Henry Tom (1 hour)
   Update on Design Timeline (10 min.)
5. Standing Reports (10 minutes)
   A. UNLV/CESU – Nancy Flagg
   B. BLM – Michael Reiland
6. Committee Reports (5 min.)
7. Committee Meeting Schedule for 2005 (5 min.)
8. Open Discussion / New Business (5 min.)

Fractions, Decimals, And Percents : A Fifth Grade Curriculum Unit, Jeffrey Li

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This independent study outlines a fifth grade curriculum unit for fractions, decimals, and percents. The unit utilizes a problem-solving approach to lead to deep understanding of fractions and their relations to decimals and percents. The study is influenced by writings by Hiebert, Dewey, Piaget, \/ygotsky, and Fosnot, and uses a lesson planning format created by Hal Melnick. Four explorations drive the unit:

Exploration 1: What is a fraction?

Exploration 2: Going Deeper with Fractions

Exploration 3: Connecting Fractions to Decimals and Percents

Exploration 4: Comparing Fractional Amounts

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

Welcome To The Electronic Iowa Science Teachers Journal, Michael P. Clough

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Welcome to the electronic Iowa Science Teachers Journal (IST J)! Prior to 1994, members of the Iowa Science Teachers Section received a hard copy Iowa Science Teacher Journal as part of their membership. When running for the office of ISTS President, I wrote that my primary objective would be to revive IST J for members of ISTS. Towards that end, Jeff Weld and I put forth a proposal for creating an electronic IST J to the Iowa Academy of Science Board and they enthusiastically supported the proposal. We are pleased to serve ISTS and its members, and appreciate the support …

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Pesticides, People, And The Environment: A Complex Relationship, Roxanne Greitz Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The writer provides information on pesticides, the controversies surrounding their use, and pesticide safety.

Cover - Table Of Contents

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Test 1852: Massey Ferguson 596 And 492 Diesel 12-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Setting Fires To Stem Cell Research, Roxanne Greitz Miller

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The goal of this lesson is to present the basic scientific knowledge about stem cells, the promise of stem cell research to medicine, and the ethical considerations and arguments involved. One of the challenges of discussing stem cell research is that the field is constantly evolving and the most current information changes almost daily. Few science texts contain stem cell information, and those that do are generally written at a reading level above that of a typical middle grade student. In the lesson, students are introduced to the FIRES strategy and given an opportunity to evaluate stem cell information from …

Improving Basic Organic Chemistry Skills Among High School Chemistry Students Through The Use Of A Webquest, Jill Elizabeth Nation

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the project was to develop an Internet resource for high school teachers who teach higher level chemistry, which includes organic chemistry. This Organic Chemistry WebQuest will foster a student-directed learning environment that will enable students to do two things: (1) students will learn basic and organic chemistry nomenclature and be able to write chemical equations involving organic molecules, and (2) students will be able to use various technologies to present items to their peers and others.

Test 1855: John Deere 4720 Ehydro Diesel Hydrostatic, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Test 1854: John Deere 4520 Ehydro Diesel Hydrostatic, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

Nebraska Summary 571: Case-Ih Jx1085c Diesel 16-Speed, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA

The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data.

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of …

An Effective Science Education Program Can Be A Deterrent To The Drop Out Of Hispanic Females, Sally Anne Field

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to look at parallel factors between the Hispanic female dropout rate and possible resiliency methods such as retention through inquiry based science education. This type of educational program might provide insight into the many educational possibilities that are open to Hispanic females.

A Model For Instructional Integration For Science And English-Language Development, Patricia Diane Andreano

Theses Digitization Project

This project recommends a professional development model for the integration of language arts and science skills to improve the literacy and scientific proficiency of elementary students, specifically English language learners. The goal is to prepare students to score well on the fluency aspects of the advanced levels of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).

Worldview, Science And The Understanding Of Nature, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

I am drawn to Nature because I see in Nature the handwork of God and I wonder what are our responsibilities as stewards of Nature? Being of a scientific bent, I wonder how Nature works? I wonder how Nature came to be? In other words, my thoughts– my everyday thoughts– about Nature are rooted in deep, fundamental beliefs that I hold about my life and the world in which I live, that is, my worldview. Nature of course is the traditional domain in which the “natural” sciences operate, but how we understand science and Nature is rooted in our worldview. …

Thinking About Science Survey V2, William W. Cobern

Scientific Literacy and Cultural Studies Project

No abstract available.

Days Of Our Spineless Lives: A Never Ending Saga, Lori Ihrig

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This activity is an interdisciplinary method for engaging students in biological investigations through working with living aquatic invertebrates. The learning cycle begins with students conducting fieldwork to collect aquatic invertebrates. Students then think and propose ideas to create an observation record that they can use to study their organisms in the classroom. Finally, through the use of well-phrased questions along with wait-time, positive nonverbal responses, and non-judgmental responses, the teacher is an ally working with students in inquiry to generate the requirements of a final project. This article promotes National Science Education Content Standards, A, C, and F, and Iowa …

Medical Technology: Contexts And Content In Science And Technology, Michael A. De Miranda, Mark Doggett, Jane T. Evans

Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Concept Attainment In Mathematics Within Content-Based Instruction For Secondary English As A Second Language, Kwang-Sug Lee

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project is to provide a useful model, the Concept Attainment Model in Mathematics, which implicates the concept attainment teaching method based on adjunct content-based instruction by using visuals and manipulatives in order to help ESL students be successful for both substantive content areas.

Test 1856: Mccormick Mtx 120 Diesel, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

The Moths Of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge: A Preliminary Assessment, Michelle N. Lewis, Renae M. Steichen, Keith S. Summerville

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

North American prairie systems are believed to have supported substantial insect biodiversity. Loss of prairie and oak savanna habitats, however, has been severe in many Midwestern states, including Iowa. An unanswered question facing land managers interested in restoring tallgrass prairies to the Iowan landscape is the degree to which restored habitats contain native insect species that are dependent upon prairie habitat. This study reports data from a preliminary survey of the moths of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,292-ha prairie and oak savanna restoration site in central Iowa. We identified and cataloged a total of 426 species of moths …

Iowa's Sand Prairie State Preserves: Anomalous Grain-Size Distributions And Optically Stimulated Luminescence (Osl) Dates, Steven H. Emerman, Brian R. Depew, Lisa K. Anderson

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Grain-size distributions and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates were obtained for the sand from Iowa's five sand prairie state preserves, which are Behren's Ponds and Woodland, Cedar Hills Sand Prairie, Kish-Ke-Kosh Prairie, Marietta Sand Prairie and Rock Island. OSL dates ranged from the late Pleistocene (15,560 years B.P.) to the very late Holocene (as recent as 590 years B.P.), indicating that the late Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs in Iowa have seen multiple episodes of aridity, which is consistent with results from the Nebraska Sand Hills and eolian sand stringers in southeastern Minnesota. The grain-size distributions were anomalous in that, compared …

Letter To The Editor - Conservation Of Freshwater Mussels In Iowa, K. Elizabeth Poole

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Freshwater mussels occur in a variety of aquatic ecosystems worldwide but nowhere is mussel species richness as high as is reported in North America. With nearly 300 recorded species in the U.S., mussels are key components of freshwater biodiversity playing a vital role in benthic communities. Ecologically important in biological processing and nutrient cycling, mussels are also an important food item for a variety of mammals including mink, otter, and raccoon. In addition to ecological importance, freshwater mussels have been economically important in the production of cultured pearls.

Hydrogeology Of Hanging Bog State Preserve: The Role Of Hillside Seeps In Draining The Iowan Surface, William L. Niemann

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Along the margin of the Cedar River Valley, groundwater discharges from eroded and weathered glacial materials of the Iowan Surface to modern alluvial deposits of the valley floor. Hanging Bog State Preserve, located along this topographic, geologic, and hydrologic boundary, represents one such groundwater discharge location, in the form of a perennial hillside seep. Based on detailed monitoring of surface water and groundwater levels within the preserve for a one-year period, it is shown that a significant quantity of groundwater, collected from a disproportionately large recharge area, is funneled to the valley wall at this site and subsequently carried to …