Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Science Workshop (Clear Creek Watershed)
29 Jun 2016
News Source: Iowa Environmental Focus
Nearly two dozen Eastern Iowa K-12 teachers attended a workshop Tuesday to learn about hands-on activities and lesson plans for engaging students in science.
The Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Science Workshop brought together the University of Iowa College of Education, the UI Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, the UI State Hygienic Laboratory, and the Intensively Managed Landscapes-Critical Zone Observatory to help teachers connect their students to environmental science. While the workshop focused mostly on science, Leslie Flynn, a clinical assistant professor in the UI College of Education, said the workshop also aims to show teachers and students how science is connected to other fields.
“I think what (earth and environmental sciences professor) Dr. Bettis did that was interesting for the teachers was show them how our landscape has changed over time. As farm practices have changed and more people have moved into the area, it’s changed the Clear Creek Watershed,” said Flynn. “Teachers were drawing connections not just between the science but also the history of the landscape, geography, political considerations in terms of zoning. I think what it showed us is that it’s a very interdisciplinary topic and that we can use the environment and the watershed to look through multiple lenses. Through math, science, social studies, engineering and I think that really struck a chord with the teachers.”
Workshop attendees spent the morning at a research site in rural Iowa County to learn about hands-on activities and potential field trip opportunities related to environmental science. The afternoon session was at the UI State Hygienic Laboratory where teachers developed environmental science lessons plans. Flynn said she thinks inter-departmental cooperation, particularly between she and CGRER member Dr. Art Bettis, was key to the success of the event.
“One thing that’s really important to me is finding people who want to partner. In this project, Art and I said “yes” to each other. We didn’t know each other (prior to this event.) Then the State Hygienic Laboratory welcomed us in here,” said Flynn. “So one of the great things is finding people who say “yes” and when they do you can solve problems for K-12 and the community so it’s just been a great experience.”
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Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Science Workshop (Clear Creek Watershed)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
K-12 teachers in Eastern Iowa participated in field activities at a research site in eastern Iowa County during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) presents during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Jazmin Lopez (Undergraduate, University of Iowa), left, works with Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) to take a water measurement during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Jazmin Lopez (Undergraduate, University of Iowa) takes a water measurement during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Amanda Solomon (Undergraduate, University of Iowa) takes a water measurement during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Amanda Solomon (Undergraduate, University of Iowa) and Danielle Lopez (Teacher, Lucas Elementary in Iowa City) record measurements during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Sarah Parcher (Undergraduate, University of Nebraska-Omaha) presents water measurement findings during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees discuss groundwater with Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees listen to Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) present during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) scoops stream organisms out of Clear Creek during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dan Hill (Teacher, Northwest Junior High in Iowa City) scoops out sendiments and other materials during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Monique Cottman (Teacher, Longfellow Elementary in Iowa City) scoops stream organisms out of Clear Creek during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees discuss water quality findings during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Attendees visited a research site in eastern Iowa County during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
A teacher peers through a microscope at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
From left, Sarah Parcher (Undergraduate, University of Nebraska-Omaha), Jazmin Lopez (Undergraduate, University of Iowa), and Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) observe a specimen at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Dr. Art Bettis (Clear Creek Site Coordinator) and Chad Hippen (Teacher, Lincoln Elementary in Washington, Iowa) listen to a presentation by Melenie Cruse at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Melenie Cruse watches as Katie Goff (Master's Student, Earth and Environmental Sciences), right, studies a specimen at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Teachers participate in a curriculum development exercise at the University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Sciecne Workshop on June 28, 2016. Photo: Nick Fetty (Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa)
Nearly two dozen Eastern Iowa K-12 teachers attended a workshop in June to learn about hands-on activities and lesson plans for engaging students in science.
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