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.
Find your consultant’s contact information and district assignments and reach out with questions or requests for support: Science Consultants
We love to hear from educators, so contact us if you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions to share.
Connect With Us!
- Join our Facebook Group!
- 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
- Digitarium
- Iowa AEA Statewide Science Professional Learning 2023-2024
- FOSS Professional learning Calendar 2023-2024
- Future Digitarium Professional Learning (coming soon!)
- Future OpenSciEd Professional Learning (coming soon!)
Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials are asynchronous learning opportunities that allow participants to decide which elements best suit their personal and professional practice. Grant Wood AEA science consultants have made several science based Micro-credentials to help make your license renewal easier than ever!
Additional Resources
FOSS Resources and Supports
- FOSS for Iowa
- ThinkLink Login
- K-8 FOSS Scope and Sequence
- Plant and Animal Care sheets
- FOSS Professional learning Calendar 2023-2024
- 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
- OpenSciEd
- Check back for future professional learning for OSE
- Norms
- OpenSciEd teacher handbook
- OpenSciEd facebook
Additional Science Resources
Literacy Connection
Suggested Books from GWAEA Science Consultants
- 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!