Inquiry Geographic Information Systems in Science Teaching (IGISST)

Project Description:  This GWAEA E2T2 is designed to integrate technology and science education to support work with students. The use of attaching geolocation to data sets is expanding in many different directions. In Year Three of the project IOWATER Statewide Volunteer Water Monitoring will provide relevant content and set the context for the data teachers and students will be collecting to analyze, interpret and use to formulate explanations. Teachers and students will learn skills necessary to utilize GPS receivers, compasses, and topographic maps which are included in the GWAEA GPS Kits. Additional technology to be incorporated in year three includes TI Graphing Calculators interfacing with water quality monitoring probes and My World ™ GIS Software. In this project teachers and students will have the opportunity to work in inclusive collaborative networks designed to integrate water quality monitoring, spatial thinking and technology into their districts standards-based curriculum. Participating teachers and students will develop the necessary skills to use GPS receivers, topographic maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software for collecting, managing and analyzing water quality data. The technology will be used in a manner designed to enhance the student’s opportunity to learn the abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, develop the fundamental understandings about scientific inquiry and deepen their conceptual understanding of important science topics.

Goals for the teachers:

To become competent users of the hardware and software associated with the GWAEA Van Allen Science Teaching Center Kits.

To use these technology tools to enhance the current science curriculum.

Goals for the students in the participating districts:

To have the opportunity to use the GPS hardware and GIS software to enhance their scientific inquiry abilities and understandings.

To demonstrate proficiency on district technology standards.

Participating Districts include:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Anamosa, Belle Plaine, Iowa City Regina Catholic Schools, Alburnett, Linn-Mar, Washington, College Community.

Participating teachers can click here to sign in to the E2T2 evaluation at Iowa State University to enroll and confirm when strategies are completed.

Click here for sign-in to the E2T2 Web Board

Dates for upcoming teacher workshops:
October 12, 2006 (new E2T2 participants)
October 13, 2006 IOWATER Training - Level 2/GPS Introduction
November 9, 2006 My World GIS
January 24, 2007 My World GIS
April 17, 2007 My World GIS
May 1, 2007 Student Showcase of Learning

For further information, contact Christopher Soldat, csoldat@aea10.k12.ia.us.