Eastern Iowa Science Collaborative
January 30, 2009
Inquiry Geographic
Information Systems in
Science Teaching:
iGISST
IGISST professional development
What is IGISST?
• 3 year grant NCLB Title II program
• University of Iowa and Grant Wood AEA
partnership
• 50 Secondary Science and interdisciplinary
teachers
• 100 hours PD supported by stipends/sub pay
• 5 graduate credits/year in Earth/Environmental
Science- leading to Earth Science endorsement.
1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act
• Code of Iowa, 455E.8
• Develop a program…regarding water quality
issues which shall be included in the minimum
program required in grades seven and eight
pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of
education under section 256.11, subsection 4.
Improve science teaching and learning
in grades 6-12
through an intensive Professional
Development (PD) program (100
hours/year)
Majority of time (3 grad credits) in Summer 09:
1. Lakeside Labs
2. Colorado
3. Local Cedar Rapids investigation

Lakeside Labs

Dr. Mary Skopec
Dr. John Dunkhase
• Colorado Summer
IGISST program
through an intensive Professional
Development (PD) program (100
hours/year)
Improve science teaching and learning
in grades 6-12
incorporating inquiry teaching
Learning Objectives:
discuss how an instructional model that sequences
learning experiences can help students build a deeper
understanding of important Earth system science
concepts;
–
Improve science teaching and learning
in grades 6-12
–
GIS data analysis tools

How can mapping data help
students explore Earth
processes like plate tectonics
and their connection to extreme
Earth events, such as
earthquakes?
Improve science teaching and learning
in grades 6-12
–
into a problem-based learning instructional
framework.
What is IGISST?
•
•
•
•
Problem-based learning
Outdoor field investigations
Science as Inquiry
Work with data analysis, geolocation (GIS)
and other scientific tools for scientifically
valid measurements
• Curriculum integration with water quality
as a context for Earth, Life and Physical
science courses
IGISST Project content
• Curriculum integration
with field research
lessons
• Earth/Environmental
content knowledge
http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/vastscience/igisst.html