THE IOWA GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION INFORMATION NETWORK – CREATING A SUSTAINABLE GEOLOGIC COMMUNITY

The Iowa Geoscience Education Information Network (IGEIN) is a place-based focused effort that provides geospatial data, inquiry-based geology curriculum/activities, virtual fieldtrips, and connections with local professionals. So far, the IGEIN is a joint effort between the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa (Dr. John Dunkhase), the Iowa Limestone Producers Association, and the Iowa Geologic and Water Survey. This project attempts to provide a common link between the sharing of geospatial data, teacher development (pre- and in-service), and distribution of K-12 geologic information through a website (www.exploreiowageology.org). The overall goal is to develop and sustain a geologic community that encourages students to get outside more often, learn to make scientific observations, apply their developing knowledge to the scientific process, and make interpretations/recommendations upon their data and experiences. To help facilitate K-12 participation forty Trimble Juno SB units are available to be checked out and used. The project team is working with Iowa’s K-12 teachers to support and/or initiate K-12 research projects with geospatial technologies. Participant data are being stored in two formats (ArcGIS shapefiles and Google Earth .kml files) on an IGEIN server. Iowa’s teachers and student can then access these data through the explore Iowa geology website. The IGEIN’s hope is that this developing community will encourage students to become informed citizens, geologists, and earth science teachers.