Science Bound
Nothing Less Than Success
Fall Kick Off Ceremonies…Reactions/commentsWhat went wellSuggestions for next year
Creating a Supportive Science Bound Community What activities or strategies have you used to
create a supportive and respectful in your Science Bound group? What were the reactions of your students? What went well? What would you do differently next time? How will you continue to place emphasis on
building and maintaining a supportive community throughout the year?
Wagon Wheel Activity
Start with a topic/questions to discuss Give students “think time” Have them organize into two concentric circles Give them 4-5 minutes to discuss their
topic/questions with a partner. Make sure each partner gets a turn to speak.
At the end of the allotted time, the outside circle rotates to the left (or right)
Give students 4-5 minutes to discuss their topic/questions with their new partner.
Repeat 1-2 more times.
Wagon Wheel Activity
Science Experiences for Your Students
Utilizing Community Resources
Science Center of Iowa
401 W. ML King Jr Parkway; 515-274-6868 Hours: MTWFS 9:00 – 5:30 Th 9:00 – 8:00 Cost: $8 (platforms only); $13 (platforms & IMAX) Coming soon…ROBOTS: The Interactive
Exhibition & IMAX – Sept. 20 – Jan. 4, 2009 Contact: Cindy Anderson, Director of IA Learning
Center with questions 515.274.6868 ext 295 [email protected]
Des Moines Botanical Center 909 Robert D. Ray Drive; 515.323-6290 Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily Cost: Students $1.50 (group rate) Guided and self-guided tours available (need
at least two weeks notice for guided) Education Coordinator: 515.283.8753 or
email at [email protected]
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th Street; 515.323.8383 Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily Cost: $6.00 each (group rate - call 323.8304
to reserve this rate in advance of visit) Education Coordinator: Sherry Aschan
515.323.8330 or [email protected]
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center 75 East Army Post Road; 515.282.8060 Hours: M-F 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: Students $1.00; Adults $5.00 Tours available Education Coordinator: 515.282.8060 or
email [email protected]
Iowa Hall of Pride
330 Park Street; 515.280.8969 Hours: M-Sat 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: Free for all IA Students; Adults $5.00 Includes not only athletics but academics and
arts too! Education Coordinator: Shelly Williams
515.564.8510 or email [email protected]
Living History Farms
2600 111th Street, Urbandale; 515.278.5286 Hours: W-Sun 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cost: $11.00 and up Special programs available Education Coordinator: Dan Jones
515.278.5286 or email [email protected]
State Historical Society of Iowa 600 East Locust; 515.281.5111 Hours: M-Sat 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: Free Includes exhibits featuring mammoths and
how we use natural resources. Education Coordinator: Sarah Macht
515.242.5193 or email [email protected]
Metro Waste Authority
Various facilities within the Urban Environmental Partnership
Education Coordinator: Mary Gillaspey 515.323.6505 or email [email protected]
Astronomy Opportunities
Des Moines Astronomical Society (DMAS) website: http://www.dmasonline.org/
Public Nights each Friday beginning at 8:00 p.m. @ Ashton Observatory
DMAS also provides lectures to groups and schools. Contact: [email protected]
Watch for fall, 2008 public nights at Drake University Municipal Observatory
NASA for Educators
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html
Includes information about the NASA design challenge
Links to other resources
Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 339, Prairie City, IA; 515.994.3400 25 minutes east of Des Moines http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nealsmith/ Learning Center: www.tallgrass.org Education Coordinator: Cheryl Groom at
Friends of the Prairie Learning Center; email [email protected]
Des Moines University
3200 Grand Ave; 515.271.1400 Mini Medical School (begins 2/2009) Website:
http://www.dmu.edu/community/minimed/ Health Careers Exploration (begins 9/28/08)
Website: http://www.dmu.edu/community/HealthCareersExplorerPost141/index.htm
Other Resources
Learning for Life: http://www.learning-for-life.org/ National Weather Service: 515.270.2614 Iowa Environmental Council: 515.244.1194 US Geological Survey – Iowa:
http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=IA Iowa Science Teachers: http://ists.pls.uni.edu/ Polk County Conservation Board:
http://www.conservationboard.org/
Jester Park Natural Playscape (see Conservation Board “Things to Do” tab)
More Science Resources
Virtual Field Trips: http://www.field-trips.org/trips.htm Excellent Collection of Virtual Science Field Trips:
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.php Collection of virtual tours, trips, and live webcams:
http://ldshomeschoolinginca.org/vft.html Daily science discoveries and headlines:
www.sciencedaily.com http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/ Logic Puzzles: http://www.rinkworks.com/brainfood/ Great links!:
http://www.scitechdaily.com/resources.htm#portholes
Utilizing Technology…
The Futures Channel – Connecting Learning to the Real World. http://www.thefutureschannel.com/index.php
Start a wiki for your group!! www.wikispaces.com is FREE!
Free Web 2.0 Sites for Educators: http://www.teach42.com/2007/03/06/top-10-free-web-20-sites-for-educators-and-a-few-honorable-mentions/
Comprehensive Web 2.0 List! http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html
Kits Available for Checkout
DMPS activity kits developed for Science Bound teachers and students
Available for checkout by contacting Steve Benson ([email protected])