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.
Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course
September 2 - December 15, 2013
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.
The course is arranged on a weekly basis. Each week a new Module (with required readings, resources and references, assignments, and occasional guest speaker discussions) will become available. Each module is designed to introduce you to a specific environmental education topic, strategy or skill. You will only have access to the current Module to complete assignments. Modules that have been completed will be visible the remainder of the class so you can go access previous assignment postings and resources.
You are required to spend 4-5 hours per week on-line completing assignments and participating in group discussions. You 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 is August 26, 2013 - you must register electronically. Registration fee includes materials and 3 license renewal credit for $75. 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.
For more information, contact Shannon Hafner, Aquatic Education Program, (641) 747-2051.
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.
Implementing the Iowa Core Through Site-based Projects
July 1 & 2, 2013 (100% attendance is required for credit.)
9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (July 1); 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.(July 2)
Springbrook Conservation Education Center (2473 160th Road, Guthrie Center)
Educators will be introduced to a variety of nationally-developed resources that support authentic learning as well the
Projects WILD,
WILD Aquatic and
Learning Tree (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.
You must register electronically: Elementary;
Secondary.
Registration deadline is June 24, 2013. Registration fees include
materials and 1 license renewal credit for $110 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $210. Meals are included in the registration fee. Lodging for participants is available free of charge at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center on Monday, July 1.
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.
The Practical and Fun Side of Science
June 17 & 18, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. (June 17); 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(June 18)
Springbrook Conservation Education Center (2473 160th Road, Guthrie Center)
This class was designed to show elementary teachers that science can be fun and practical. You will be introducd to simple 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 you and your students better understand basic science concepts.
Registration deadline is May 31, 2013 - you must register electronically. Registration fees are: $60.00 (1 licensure credit); $135.00 (1 Drake graduate credit); $37.00 (no credit).
For more information, contact A. Jay Winter; 641/747-8383 ext.11 or Kathy Hodges; 712-792-9082.
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.
Teaching Outdoor Skills: Basic Fishing and Archery
June 10 & 11, 2013 (100% attendance is required for credit.)
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (June 10); 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(June 11)
Russell Wildlife Area & County Conservation Center (2254 200th St., New Sharon)
Hands-on session will acquaint participants with methodologies and curricular resources to teaching archery and fishing. Participants will receive a basic archery packet and the Fish Iowa! basic spincasting module.
Registration Deadline is June 3, 2013 - you must register electronically. Registration fees include materials and 1 license renewal credit for $80 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $150. Meals (June 10 - lunch & supper; June 11- lunch) are included in the registration fee.
A limited number of stipends of $100 are available from the DNR Aquatic Education Program to participants to 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.
Teaching Outdoor Skills: An Introduction to Basic Outdoor Skills
June 24 & 25, 2013 (100% attendance is required for credit.)
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. (June 24); 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(June 25)
Benton County Conservation Center (5718 20th Ave Dr., Vinton)
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 is June 17, 2013 -
you must register electronically. Registration fees include
materials and 1 license renewal credit for $60 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $135. Meals (June 24 - lunch & supper; June 25- lunch) are included in the registration fee.