Science Bound Nothing Less Than Success

Fall Kick Off Ceremonies… Reactions/comments What went well Suggestions 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.

Science Experiences for Your Students Utilizing Community Resources

Science Center of Iowa 401 W. ML King Jr Parkway; 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 ext 295

Des Moines Botanical Center 909 Robert D. Ray Drive; 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: or at

Blank Park Zoo 7401 SW 9 th Street; Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily Cost: $6.00 each (group rate - call to reserve this rate in advance of visit) Education Coordinator: Sherry Aschan or

Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center 75 East Army Post Road; Hours: M-F 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: Students $1.00; Adults $5.00 Tours available Education Coordinator: or

Iowa Hall of Pride 330 Park Street; 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 or

Living History Farms th Street, Urbandale; Hours: W-Sun 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cost: $11.00 and up Special programs available Education Coordinator: Dan Jones or

State Historical Society of Iowa 600 East Locust; 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 or

Metro Waste Authority Various facilities within the Urban Environmental Partnership Education Coordinator: Mary Gillaspey or

Astronomy Opportunities Des Moines Astronomical Society (DMAS) website: Public Nights each Friday beginning at 8:00 Ashton Observatory DMAS also provides lectures to groups and schools. Contact: Watch for fall, 2008 public nights at Drake University Municipal Observatory

NASA for Educators dex.html dex.html Includes information about the NASA design challenge Links to other resources

Neil Smith Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 339, Prairie City, IA; minutes east of Des Moines Learning Center: Education Coordinator: Cheryl Groom at Friends of the Prairie Learning Center;

Des Moines University 3200 Grand Ave; Mini Medical School (begins 2/2009) Website: Health Careers Exploration (begins 9/28/08) Website: sExplorerPost141/index.htm sExplorerPost141/index.htm

Other Resources Learning for Life: National Weather Service: Iowa Environmental Council: US Geological Survey – Iowa: Iowa Science Teachers: Polk County Conservation Board: Jester Park Natural Playscape (see Conservation Board “Things to Do” tab)

More Science Resources Virtual Field Trips: Excellent Collection of Virtual Science Field Trips: Collection of virtual tours, trips, and live webcams: Daily science discoveries and headlines: Logic Puzzles: Great links!:

Utilizing Technology… The Futures Channel – Connecting Learning to the Real World. Start a wiki for your group!! is FREE! Free Web 2.0 Sites for Educators: 20-sites-for-educators-and-a-few-honorable- mentions/ 20-sites-for-educators-and-a-few-honorable- mentions/ Comprehensive Web 2.0 List!

Kits Available for Checkout DMPS activity kits developed for Science Bound teachers and students Available for checkout by contacting Steve Benson