Inquiry: Geographic Information Systems for Science Teachers (IGISST)

IGISST Project Overview

The Grant Wood Area Education Agency (GWAEA) Van Allen Science Teaching (VAST) center science consultants in partnership with the University of Iowa Science Education Center and Geography Department and representatives from local school districts have been awarded a 3 - year professional development grant called the IGISST (Inquiry: Geographic Information Systems in Science Teaching) Project.

This project targets teams of secondary teachers of science and related areas. The project’s purposes are to:

enhance science instruction through an inquiry and problem-based learning approach,

improve student achievement, and

nurture collaboration among participating teacher teams.

This project consists of:

summer workshops

academic year research lesson groups and seminars

onsite implementation assistance from project staff

IGISST Project content:

Inquiry based teaching and learning of science

Problem-based learning strategies

How children learn

Research lessons group processes for improving teaching and learning

Curriculum integration and field research lessons

Teachers as leaders; developing collaborative teams

GIS and related geolocation data analysis skills

Research-based instructional practicies

Earth/Environmental science content knowledge

University of Iowa graduate credit leading towards application for Earth Science endorsement

National Science Education Standards

Iowa Professional Development Model and Iowa Teaching Standards

Key IGISST Project activities include:

Summer Institutes

Ongoing Research Lesson Groups during the academic years  (teams will complete one research lesson /semester; grant will provide funding for substitutes)

On-site implementation assistance from GWAEA Science Consultants, UI science education faculty and UI geography faculty.

Seminars throughout the school year

Online discussion groups via a web board

The project evaluation plan will enable us to document project processes and outcomes, including enhanced:

Instructional practice and content knowledge by teachers

Student achievement, with particular focus on closing achievement gaps

A number of products will be produced. Among these are:

Research lessons in science illustrating inquiry-based instruction

Shared learning at an annual Spring Symposium

Presentations at professional conferences

Meeting Schedule 2007-08

Summer Institute:

Three days IOWATER training; guided work through district curriculum; problem-based learning models

Two day – team scheduled planning in the district

September Friday (sub reimbursed) and Saturday (stipend) Earth/Environmental Science field investigation with follow up seminar day

Academic Year Seminars:

Field investigation lessons- field investigation with students (sub reimbursed)

Ongoing seminars for developing instructional strategies, work with data analysis tools and collaborative district team work

Sharing Symposium:  Full day for sharing results of Research Lessons

Credit/Incentives:  3 graduate credit hours/summer and 2 graduate credit hours/academic year. Participants are required to pay an administrative fee (~ $30 per credit hour) for UI credit.

Stipends: $110 per day, 8.0 days per year for three years

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