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The Science Scoop

A Quarterly Update from Heartland AEA

The ScienceScoopA Quarterly Update from Heartland AEA
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August 2023: Volume 2, Edition 1

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connect to HAEA consultants

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••News, Resources, and Opportunities

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Classroom Materials

New NGSS Badged Curriculum Units for 9-12!

OpenSciEd has recently released three new NGSS badged units for high school biology, chemistry, and physics.

Biology: Natural Selection & Evolution of Populations—How does urbanization affect nonhuman populations, and how can we minimize harmful effects?

Chemistry: Chemical Reactions in our World—Why are oysters dying, and how can we use chemistry to protect them?

Physics: Electromagnetic Radiation—How do we use radiation in our lives, and is it safe for humans?

Contact your science consultants if you have any questions about OpenSciEd curriculum materials.

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Teaching & Learning

Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum Project (ISEC)

The University of Northern Iowa launched a new website where middle school and high school teachers can freely access ten new units. Each unit...

  • Meets at least one of the Iowa Earth Science content standards plus an Engineering standard.
  • Emphasizes issues related to generating electricity on the local and state level.
  • Explores careers associated with the electrical industry.
  • Allows for flexible adoption of units, lessons, or activities in a modular curriculum format.
Access the curriculum by visiting: https://isec.uni.edu/
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Connect & Partner

The Blank Park Zoo

Welcoming educators to professional development opportunities held at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The workshops are good for one hour of license renewal credit. Dates and topics are listed below.

  • October 6/7, 2023 – Conservation: People and Animals
  • November 17/18, 2023 – Lamarck, and Wallace, and Darwin – Oh, My!
  • January 19/20, 2024 – Biomimicry and Inspiration
  • February 16/17, 2024 – Nature-centered Science for PreK-2
  • March 22/23, 2024 – Art and Science
Click HERE to access a document with more information.
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2023 Department of Education Regional Science Trainings

The Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa DNR, AEAs, and other regional institutions are hosting three regional science trainings for teachers, coaches, preservice teachers and informal educators. There is a strong push to have at minimum, 1 person from every district attend these in-person trainings, but we would love to have teams from various grade levels. To accommodate travel and substitute issues, the trainings will be held 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in three regions.

Dates and locations for the trainings are as follows:

  • University of Iowa (September 25, 2023)
  • Iowa State University (October 3, 2023)
  • Buena Vista University (October 19, 2023)

Planning topics for the day include:

  • standards alignment
  • student engagement through active sensemaking
  • grading and assessment practices (standards-based)
  • curriculum adoption process
  • integrating elementary science with literacy and math
  • outdoor education experiences and networking
  • local research and STEM careers
  • connect with future teachers


Click on the flyer for more information and to register.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Opportunities with Heartland AEA

Visit the HAEA Online Learning Portal to register for courses.

Click on the provided link to register for webinars.


Science Resources: Ready-to-Use & Free-to-Access (Register Here)

Webinar: Tuesday, September 19 3:30-4:30 OR Wednesday, September 20 11:30-12:30

Join a fast and furious tour of the curriculum and instruction resources Heartland AEA offers. This webinar targets teachers, coaches, and districts looking for science education options that improve or enhance current teaching and learning.


What is OpenSciEd? (Register Here)

Webinar: Tuesday, October 3 3:30-4:30 OR Wednesday, October 4 11:30-12:30

Learn about the instruction framework, scope and sequence, and adoption of OpenSciEd (OSE). This webinar is designed to inform for teachers, administrators, and coaches starting or in the curriculum review process.


Science Education 101 (Course #205424)

Online Course: starts October 9

New or returning to science education? This is the course for you! Learning and activities focus on the standards, teaching practices, instructional strategies, and plenty of free resources. License renewal credit available.


Elementary Computer Science and STEM (Course #216047)

Online Course: starts November 20

Gain insight into computer science requirements at the elementary level while networking and gathering resources. Learn about and experience a variety of instructional models and curriculum materials that focus on integrating Computer Science standards through STEM lessons. License renewal credit available.


Coming Soon!

Early Childhood Science Education Nap-inars: A monthly 30-minute webinar related to opportunities and resources for teaching and learning science with children birth to 2nd grade.

Middle School OpenSciEd Training: Learn about the instructional routines and resources essential to OpenSciEd while engaging in OSE units at each grade levels.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Heartland AEA Science Consultants

Ashley Delaney

Grades PK-8, Computer Science, STEM/Maker Spaces, Essential Elements for Science, Work-Based Learning, and Homeschool.


Adam Puderbaugh

Grades 6-12, Des Moines Public Schools, OpenSciEd, Standards-Based/Referenced Grading, and Informal Educational Partners.