Educator Workshops

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course
September 3 - December 16, 2012

The goal of this course is to help you utilize local natural resources as unifying themes to implement Iowa Core concepts in your curriculum. You will work in small groups and individually to create a network of contacts and resources to teach natural resource concepts. Group and individual assignments will build on each other throughout the course.

Participants are required to spend 4-5 hours per week on-line completing assignments and participating in group discussions. Participants should be comfortable navigating web pages, have access to internet and a computer on a daily basis, and possess basic computer skills. A majority of the course materials will be provided on a CD with linked pdf files.

Registration Deadline: August 22, 2012. You must register on-line.
Course Fees: $75 includes materials and 3 license renewal credits. This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

Implementing the Iowa Core Through Site-based Projects
June 14, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
June 15, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Neal Smith Learning Center Classroom, Prairie City

Educators will be introduced to a variety of nationally-developed resources that support authentic learning (Project-based Learning Model, Field Investigations: Using Outdoor Environments to Foster Student Learning of Scientific Processes, Schoolyard Biodiversity Investigation Educator Guide, Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills, Landscape Investigation Guidelines, and Greenschools Investigations) as well the Projects WILD, WILD Aquatic and Learning Tree (PreK-8 guide, secondary modules). Training will include using a project-based learning model and field investigations to create relevant learning opportunities for students that support the Iowa Core.

Trainers will work with educators to incorporate activities from the projects into inquiry-based learning cycles and to develop real field investigations with their students. Educators will be encouraged to develop site based projects to study and/or improve their local natural resources. This can include service learning opportunities like Trees for Kids, IOWATER, NatureMapping, Wildlife Diversity monitoring efforts, development of outdoor learning areas or habitats, and more.

Participants are encouraged to bring information about their school site or a nearby natural area for use with workshop activities. Teaching partners/groups are encouraged to facilitate planning/implementation of projects.

A limited number of stipends of $150 are available from the DNR Aquatic Education Program to participants who help defray expenses of attending the course. To be eligible for the stipend, the participant must develop a project-based learning unit, which you can use in your teaching situation, based on a local natural resources topic/concern that meets the criteria to receive an "A" in the course. Contact us at edinfo@dnr.iowa.gov for more information.

Registration Deadline: June 1, 2012. You must register online.
Course Fees: A materials/meals fees of $60 is included in other fees: 1 Renewal credit $85; 1 (D-EDEX) Drake credit $185

Teaching Outdoor Skills: Basic Fishing and Archery
June 11, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
June 12, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Benton County Conservation Center ( 2718 20th Ave. Dr., Vinton, IA 52349)

Hands-on sessions will acquaint participants with methodologies and curricular resources to teach archery and fishing. Participants will receive a basic archery instructor packet and the Fish Iowa! basic spincasting module.

A limited number of stipends of $100 are available from the DNR Aquatic Education Program to participants who help defray expenses of attending the course. To be eligible for the stipend, the participant must develop an integrated unit lesson plan using the Fish Iowa! materials that meets the criteria to receive an "A" in the course. Contact the DNR Aquatic Education program for more information.

Registration Deadline: June 1, 2012. You must register online.
Course Fees: A materials fees of $35 is included in other fees: 1 Renewal credit $60; 1 (D-EDEX) Drake credit $135

The Practical and Fun Side of Science
June 18, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
June 19, 2012 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Springbrook Conservation Education Center (2473 160th Road, Guthrie Center)

This class was designed to show elementary teachers that science can be fun and practical. We will introduce you to some simple to use, hands on science lessons that will make learning more enjoyable for your students. These lessons will not only be practical and fun to use, but will also help your students with the understanding of basic science concepts.

Registration Deadline: June 6, 2012
Practical and Fun Side of Science Registration Form

Teaching Outdoor Skills: An Introduction to Basic Outdoor Skills
June 18, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
June 19, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Springbrook Conservation Education Center (2473 160th Road, Guthrie Center)

Hands-on sessions will acquaint participants with a variety of basic outdoor skills and teaching resources/methodologies. Participants will receive introductory instruction and lesson plans for planning outings, map reading, hiking, paddling, fishing, archery, campfire programs, and basic firearm safety/shooting.

Registration Deadline: June 4, 2012. You must register online.
Course Fees: A materials fees of $35 is included in other fees: 1 Renewal credit $60; 1 (D-EDEX) Drake credit $160

Using Outdoor Skills to Integrate Math, Science & History
June 26 & 27, 2012 - 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Preston, IA

Get your students excited about math, science and history using outdoor skills as a bridge. This course will help you meet Iowa Core Standards in 21st century skills, math, science and social studies. Participants will receive curriculum, activity ideas, actual experience in outdoor skills, and resources for materials and presenters.

You must register online.
Course Fee: $35.00 (1 teacher recertification credit)

American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS)
AWLS allows educators of all types (teachers, scout leaders; etc.) to experience a variety of outdoor skills. If you are inexperienced in the outdoors and always wanted to learn, or if you are already at a higher level of outdoor skill, and want to learn more, AWLS is for you.

Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification Training Course
This course is designed to teach basic shotgun coaching techniques and team management fundamentals for leading youth trap, sporting clays and/or skeet teams. It is designed for experienced shooters/coaches and novices alike. Course content includes an overview of the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Iowa High School clay target shooting, safety, range orientation and setup, eye dominance, gun-fit, coaching fundamentals, teaching the new shooter, risk management, coaching logistics and equipment.

Fish Iowa!
Materials are available to Iowa educators and youth leaders only through training sessions (one-on one) and workshops. Email the Aquatic Education Program to locate a Fish Iowa! trainer near you.

IOWATER Introductory Workshops
IOWATER is a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program. Introductory workshops are open to any individual or group that is interested in water quality. A variety of session settings, held both indoors and outdoors, will contain topics such as starting a monitoring plan, the "why-tos" and "how-tos" of water monitoring, what to do with the data, networking with others concerned about water quality, and some muddy fun!

Upon completion of the workshop, you will be a certified IOWATER Citizen Monitor. The workshop is based on eight hours training; exact times varying depending on location. Workshop registration fee is $20, which covers all program fees, meals, and testing equipment. Group registration fee is $30 for up to three people; ten dollars for each additional person.

National Archery in the Schools Program Basic Archery Instructor (BAI)
The Iowa DNR provides NASP Basic Archery Instructor (BAI) training throughout the state to teachers and archery program organizers. Training is provided at no cost to teachers conducting NASP programs as part of a 2 week in-school course. To start a NASP program in your school, to schedule or sign up for training, or for questions on NASP in Iowa, contact Ben Berka, Shooting Sports Coordinator for the Iowa DNR at 515-281-0140.

Projects WILD, WILD Aquatic, & Learning Tree
WILD, WILD Aquatic, and Project Learning Tree materials are available to formal and nonformal educators through workshops on request for groups of at least 15 educators and/or youth leaders.

Workshops also are provided through several colleges and universities. At the workshop, participants will be introduced to several activities as well as to suggested teaching techniques, ideas for using the activities, and philosophies behind the programs.

Email the WILD/PLT coordinator to receive email notification of upcoming training opportunities.