Nearly two dozen eastern Iowa K-12 teachers attended a workshop on June 29 to learn about hands-on activities and lesson plans for engaging students in science.

An eastern Iowa teacher operates an automated water sampler during the Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Science Workshop on June 29.

The Critical Zone Observatory Environmental Science Workshop – featured in an Iowa Environmental Focus’s blog entry – brought together the University of Iowa’s College of Education, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 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 aimed to show teachers and students how science is connected to other fields.

“I think what [earth and environmental sciences professor] Dr. Art 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 and 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 and engineering, 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 State Hygienic Laboratory where teachers developed environmental science lesson plans. Flynn said she thinks inter-departmental cooperation, particularly between Bettis and herself, 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 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.”