VAST Center Support for Local Districts
The Science Team at Grant Wood AEA works with school districts in Eastern Iowa to help them enhance teaching and learning with the use of science best practices. Our primary services include Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment. We offer classroom & curriculum support, coaching opportunities, and professional development to ensure success for all science educators and their students. This site includes news, information, and resources related to the work we do to support science educators.
- Reach out with questions or requests for science support to Grant Wood AEA Science Consultant Maria Hasken-Averkamp (mhasken-averkamp@gwaea.org.)
- For questions or requests related to FOSS or OpenSciEd (limited availability) kit delivery and pickup, please reach out to the VAST Center at vast@gwaea.org.
- NEW for Spring 2026: The VAST Center now has elementary OpenSciEd first released unit kits available for rent. Reach out to Science Consultant Maria Hasken-Averkamp at mhasken-averkamp@gwaea.org to inquire about this new option.
- Supports for OpenSciEd implementation through scheduled professional learning experiences and in-district science consultant support are available. Find out about upcoming dates by contacting Maria Hasken-Averkamp (mhasken-averkamp@gwaea.org.)
Connect With Us!
- Check us out on Facebook
- Check out past Science Newsletters or Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Sign up for the monthly science newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education
- Read the VAST Mission
Professional Learning
- Request OpenSciEd Professional Learning customized to district requests to mhasken-averkamp@gwaea.org
- Spring 2026 FOSS Grades K-8 Session on February 26, 2026 (See linked flyer)
- Introduction to OpenSciEd for Elementary Units K.1, 1.1, and 2.1 on June 9, 2026 (See linked flyer)
- Introduction to OpenSciEd for Elementary Units 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1 on June 11, 2026 (See linked flyer)
Additional Resources
FOSS Resources and Supports
- FOSS for Iowa
- ThinkLink Login
- K-8 FOSS Scope and Sequence
- Plant and Animal Care sheets
- Science Notebooking in K-2
- Video- Science Centered Language Development K-2
- Science Notebooking in 3-5
- Video-Science Centered Language Development 3-5
- Science Notebooking in 6-8
- Video- Science Centered Language Development 6-8
OpenSciEd Resources and Supports
- Introduction to OpenSciEd for Elementary Units K.1, 1.1, and 2.1 on June 9, 2026 (See linked flyer)
- Introduction to OpenSciEd for Elementary Units 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1 on June 11, 2026 (See linked flyer)
Reach out to Science Consultant Maria Hasken-Averkamp at mhasken-averkamp@gwaea.org if interested in scheduling an in-district session to learn more OpenSciEd.
Additional Science Resources
Literacy Connection
Suggested Books from Our GWAEA Science Consultant
- Sharing Books Talking Science: Exploring Scientific Concepts with Children’s Literature
- Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning
- Ambitious Science Teaching (Available in the GWAEA Media Library!)
- Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices (Available in the GWAEA Media Library!)
- Confronting the Crisis of Engagement
Center Name
The center was named the Van Allen Science Teaching Center, in honor of Dr. James Van Allen. Want to learn more about the history? Check out this slide deck!