Laws and Regulations
Chapter 12 of the Iowa Administrative Code describes science instruction at grade levels 1-12, which includes the following:
12.5(3) Elementary program, grades 1-6.
d. Science. Science instruction shall include life, earth, and physical science and shall incorporate hands-on process skills; scientific knowledge; application of the skills and knowledge to students and society; conservation of natural resources; and environmental awareness.
12.5(4) Junior-high program, grades 7 and 8.
d. Science. Same definition as in 12.5(3) d.
12.5(5) High school program, grades 9-12.
d. Science (five units). Science instruction shall include biological, earth, and physical science, including physics and chemistry. Full units of physics and chemistry shall be taught but may be offered in alternate years. All science instruction shall incorporate hands-on process skills; scientific knowledge; the application of the skills and knowledge to students and society; conservation of natural resources; and environmental awareness.
Every Learner Inquires (ELI)
Every Learner Inquires (ELI) is a capacity building effort
in science targeting improved student understanding and achievement through
improved instructional practices. ELI
focuses on inquiry-based instruction aligned with the National Science
Education Standards and follows the Iowa Professional Development Model. There are two learning strands, one focusing
on the elementary levels and the other on secondary. For more information, view:
 Every Learner Inquires
ELI Year One Evaluation Report (2007-11-05)
Mathematics and Science Partnership
This program is designed to improve student academic achievement in mathematics and science by funding partnerships through a competitive grant process. The partnerships supported through this program bring together mathematics and science teachers with scientists, mathematicians and engineers to expand teachers' subject matter knowledge of and research in science and mathematics. The program
supports partnerships that provide opportunities for ongoing and advanced professional development for teachers, promote and support the redesign of instruction and curriculum in mathematics and science, and recruit mathematics, engineering, and science majors to teaching. Partnerships supported through
this program must engage in activities that are based on scientific research. The Iowa Department of Education cooperates with the Iowa Board of Regents (which has a comparable program funded through Title II, Part A) in conducting the required competitive grant process.
Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program RFP
2002 Iowa Mathematics and Science Needs Assessment
2002 Iowa Mathematics and Science Needs Assessment Executive Summary
2002 Iowa Mathematics and Science Needs Assessment (full report)
Iowa Core Curriculum
Visit the Iowa Core Curriculum site to see Iowa's recommendations for science curriculum in high school.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest award a kindergarten - 12th grade
mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in
the United States. This award is given to outstanding mathematics and
science teachers from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions
(Washington D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense Schools; and the
U.S. territories as a group: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
As
enacted by Congress in the 1983, the President makes up to 108 awards
each year. The 2008 call for nominations marks the 25th year of the
program. Please support exemplary mathematics and science teaching by
preparing to nominate a teacher for this award.
The application and further information about nominations for 2008 will be posted soon.
In
2008 Elementary teachers (kindergarten - 6th grade) may apply. The
nomination is due February 1, 2008 and the application is due May 1,
2008.
In 2009 Secondary school teachers (grades 7 - 12) may
apply. The nomination is due February 1, 2009 and the application is
due May 1, 2009.
Presidential Awards Website: http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=DRL
Contact
Kathy McKee, Consultant
515-281-3146
kathy.mckee@iowa.gov
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PK-12 Education 
