Geographic Alliance of Iowa
Geography
News
Volume 28 Issue 1 Spring 2005
Coordinator’s
Corner
| |
Kay E. Weller, GAI
Coordinator
|
|
|
As I sit writing this, the snow is lightly falling but my
mind turns to spring and GAI plans for summer of 2005 and beyond. Yes, I am
thinking of 2006, 2007, etc. Many exciting events are coming in summer 2005.
I invite you to participate in our workshop on June 23 and
24: Geography of the Civil Rights Movement in the Cedar Valley workshop.
As the title indicates, it will focus on Civil Rights in our local area. By
including the Waterloo African American Museum folks, it promises to be an
extraordinary experience for all of us. This is offered for one hour graduate or
undergraduate credit.
July 21-25 our friends Steve Wymore and Don Peterson are
leading a workshop, Reliving the Travels of Lewis & Clark in Iowa. It
has been planned to take advantage of opportunities in various communities
between Council Bluffs and Sioux City. By taking advantage of local plans we are
able to offer some activities that otherwise we would be unable to afford. This
workshop will be offered for two hours graduate or undergraduate credit.
Future plans include submitting one or more Fulbright-Hays
Group Projects Abroad proposals. I have been working on them and hope to have
those completed in ample time. My current plans are to submit one to India and
one to Romania. However, the one to Romania is beginning to look doubtful. If
you are interested in participating in either one, please let our office know.
We will keep a list of interested persons and contact you when it is time to
submit a letter of interest and one from your school supporting your
participation.
I am very excited to announce that Alex Oberle has accepted a
position here in the Department of Geography. Of the candidates interviewed, he
was the only one familiar with the GAI. He has had experience working with the
Colorado Alliance and the Arizona Alliance. And folks, he is a licensed teacher
who has been hired to teach Human Geography and introductory GIS. My hope is
that he will be able to help with our summer 2006 technology workshop. It will
be held in our brand new digs in the East Gym here on campus.
When we move next winter, we will have a new computer lab with state of
the art facilities. Having a trained
teacher to work with me on this, we are bound to have an outstanding workshop.
I have known Alex since my days at the
University
of
Northern Colorado
where he was an undergraduate and am certain you will enjoy working with him.
I keep exploring more unique types of agriculture in
Iowa
. My plans are to have edition two
of the specialized agriculture workshop. It
was very well attended and everyone learned a great deal about how much
diversity there is in
Iowa
’s agriculture. Keep tuned for
definite plans for this workshop.
Enjoy your spring and summer.
I hope to see you at one of our workshops very soon.
|
TC Profiles
 |
Diana
Henry
|
If Diana Henry was asked to describe herself, she would probably say she was a
perpetual student who strives to be of service to the community.
However, her interest in learning is not confined just to traditional
academic pursuits. As an example, while teaching at McKinley Middle School in Cedar Rapids during the late
‘80’s, she developed a mentoring program for African American girls.
In the Iowa City School District, she has served on the Multiculture/Gender Fair Committee for over eight years. Since joining
Weber Elementary school, she has served on various committees such as the Mission Writing Committee,
first Handbook Committee, Tech Committee, and the Vision Committee.
During Weber’s early development, she also helped with the conflict
manager training (Diana took part in the 1991 Implementation Program for School
Based Training in Conflict Management at UNI sponsored by the Iowa Peace
Institute). Until recently, she was
the co-facilitator for safety patrol.
In 1998, she served on a district Curriculum Writing
Committee to develop activities for the ancient culture kids Egypt, Rome and
Greece). She also served on the
district’s Social Studies Curriculum Review Committee during 2002-03. This committee developed a scope and sequence of instruction and selected
new textbooks for the district.
This past year, she served on the Iowa City Staff
Development Committee. Currently,
she is participating in a year long science and math project entitled SMILE II
(science and math inquiry). Lesson
Study is an integral component of this project. The project is sponsored by the University
of Iowa.
But how did she get connected with the GAI? Well, Lois Crowley suggested she attend a workshop back in 1994. A year passed before she would commit herself.
Then in the summer of 1995, she participated in the Summer Geography
Institute training at Drake University .
In 1997, she was selected by Dr. Weller to be trained at National Geographic Society’s
summer training program entitled “Summer Geography Workshop.” This training, of course, stimulated interest in other areas.
For instance, she took a course in archeology.In 2000, through Clark Atlanta University, she went on an extended trip through Egypt to study its ancient culture. Diana
has also served on the GAI’s Steering Committee board since the fall of 1995. She is grateful to her colleagues at the GAI for their friendship and
inspiration.
|
Chris Joslin
|
Chris Joslin became a teacher consultant in 1994, the year she admitted to the world that she had secretly been in love with geography since the
first time she actually read National Geographic Magazine, instead
of just looking at the pictures. She
had tried to keep it hidden under the guise of teaching a variety of subjects
from secondary Language Arts to speed reading to German but a chance meeting at
a teachers conference in Des Moines changed all that and consequently changed
her life after attending the GAI 1994 Summer Institute.
In 1995, she was invited to join the GAI steering
committee and she is proud to continue to be a part of the leadership of the
organization. In 1996, she
represented Iowa at the NGS Geography Awareness Week workshop in Washington D.C. During
this time she taught both World Cultures in the middle school and German in two
elementary schools.
1999 was a turning point in her life in many
ways. First, she was selected to
participate in the GAI Fulbright-Hays Program to Nigeria. Due to
unforeseeable circumstances, she was only able to travel with the group for 2
weeks but in that time most of her life’s perspectives were changed and
incredible bonds forged. After
returning home, she began a three-year commitment to teach German in Carroll, Iowa.
Having had one passport expire without much use,
she has made it a goal to use her ‘Nigerian’ one at least once a year until
it expires in 2009. She is happy to
report that she is 7 for 7. Since
then she has traveled to the Iberian Peninsula, China twice and to London. In 2003,
she was thrilled to be chosen for the second GAI Fulbright-Hays project that
traveled to India. This
spring she is happy to report she will be using it in Mexico to attend her son’s wedding as well as on the GAI
Alaskan cruise. She has also
applied for a spot on the Korea Society teacher study grant but won’t know
about that for quite some time.
|
TC
Amber Munson, Alternative Education Center, Cedar Rapids, was awarded 2nd
place for her non-thesis option graduate paper, "Reviving the CRANDIC:
Is There Interest in Reviving Passenger Rail Service Between Cedar Rapids
and Iowa City, Iowa?"
Amber has been an active participant in the GAI for some time. We
congratulate you on this fine achievement!
TC Natasha Cooper of Southeast Warren Jr./Sr. High School,
Liberty
Center
, received word she passed her national boards and is now a national board
certified teacher. On
a personal note, their new baby girl, Selena Riley Cooper, was born on
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
. Selena weighed in at 7
pounds 15 ounces, and measured 20 inches long.
Congratulations to the proud parents, Natasha and David!
|
IOWA
GEOGRAPHIC BEE – 2005
The state competition of the National Geographic Bee will take place on
Friday, April 1st, at
Des Moines
Area
Community College
,
2006 South Ankeny Blvd
,
Ankeny
. The Bee is an exciting
event that brings together outstanding students who demonstrate
their geographic knowledge in grades four through eight.
Following is some information to assist with registration for the 2006
Geographic Bee. Make
plans now to participate in this special event during 2006 by having
your school register prior to October
15, 2005.
|
|
HOW SCHOOLS
REGISTER
Principals of schools in the
U.S.
with any of the grades four through eight are eligible to register their
schools to receive contest materials for a school-level Bee.
Heads of homeschool associations may register to receive contest
materials to arrange a Bee for their homeschool members.
Keep in mind that there is a minimum participation requirement of six
students from the eligible grade levels in a school-level Bee.
Also, the contest materials may not be in the hands of relatives of
a participating student at any time.
Principals may write a letter on school letterhead and enclose the
registration fee of U.S. $50 requesting that their school receive contest
materials. In their letter,
principals may designate a teacher in the school to be the recipient of
the contest materials.
Heads of homeschool associations may register the same way—on official
letterhead, enclosing the $50 fee. Mail
the letter and registration fee (check or purchase order) to:
National
Geographic Bee
1145 17th Street NW
Washington
,
DC
20036
Faxed registrations are not accepted.
Official registration
normally ends on October 15
every year. The Beeline phone
number—202/828-6659—will give updates to any deadline extensions that
have been granted. Listen
carefully to that message. Once
registration is closed, it is closed to all—no exceptions.
Schools whose proper
registrations are received at our offices by October 15 will be sent the
school contest materials in mid-November.
If the registration deadline is extended past October 15, schools
that register later will be sent their contest materials within 3 weeks of
having received the complete registration.
A school should notify
National Geographic at 202/828-6659 if it has registered and has not
received contest materials by the times mentioned above.
|
| Location:
|
Ramada Inn – West 4th &
Commercial –
Waterloo
|
| Features:
|
Speakers having personal knowledge of events in the
Cedar
Valley
OSAE of Waterloo’s African American Community Work with
Waterloo
’s emerging African
American Museum Explore new African American sites in the
Cedar
Valley
Generate curricular materials suitable for
Iowa
students
|
| Advantages:
|
Inclusive price - lodging, food and 1 hour UNI credit
Complete in 2 days
Local experts
Interdisciplinary with history and government
|
 |
| Benefits:
|
Earn 1 hour college credit when attending both days
Relevant
materials, plus relaxing and informal workshop
|
| Cost:
|
| OVERNIGHT
PARTICIPANTS
By May 9, 2005: $99
After May 9,
2005: $119
|
COMMUTERS
ONLY
Special
$49 workshop fee
By May 9, 2005/$69 After
|
|
REGISTRATION FORM*
|
Mr. ____
Ms. ____ Grade
Level(s) Taught: ___________
Name__________________________________________
Home Address___________________________________
City____________________ State_____ Zip__________
Phone_________________ Fax_____________________
E-mail_________________________________________
____
Check here if you do not want the above information
included on a roster distributed to participants.
____
Check here if you have any special needs, including dietary.
We’ll call to discuss how we can meet your needs.
*Enrollment is limited.
Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, with
registration confirmed when payment is received.
|
 |
PHONE:
800/601-3899 OR 319/273-5952
|
 |
FAX:
319/273-7103
|
_____
REGISTER ME:
Regular registration –
Double occupancy room
_____
PRIVATE ROOM REQUESTED: I
would like my own
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
_____
I’m interested in receiving 1
hour UNI credit.
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
____
Make
check payable to: UNI Geographic Alliance of Iowa
|
Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute (APTTI) July, 2005
The
University
of
Iowa
Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute
is endorsed by the College Board
In addition to workshops in
gifted
education, the
Belin-Blank
Center
sponsors the only Advanced
Placement Summer Institute in the State of
Iowa
. The Advanced
Placement Teacher Training Institute provides three sessions during July, 2005.
College Board consultants offer an intensive experience in developing and
teaching an AP course. Teachers receive an overview of the AP Program and
prepare syllabi, lesson plans, and classroom materials applicable to an AP class
in their subject area. Training in Vertical Teams focuses on content
articulation between the middle school and the high school, better preparing
students for challenging secondary coursework.
COST: $325 early registration
(deadline two weeks before start date of each session; $375 on site
registration; $50 cancellation fee after the early registration deadline).
The registration fee includes: all College Board materials; sample texts;
commuter parking pass; use of computers on campus; College Board reception; one
luncheon with College Board consultants; and Certificate of Participation.
**Academic credit is not included, but interested educators may enroll for graduate
credit.**
Session I: July 5 – 8: (June 21 early
registration deadline)
|
®
Art History
®
English Vertical
Teams
®
Math Vertical
Teams |
®
Science Vertical
Teams
®
Social Studies
Vertical Teams |
Session II: July 11 – 15 (June 27 early
registration deadline)
|
®
Biology
®
Calculus
®
Chemistry
®
Economics
®
English
Language/Composition
®
English
Literature/Composition |
®
Music Theory
®
Physics
®
Spanish Language
®
US History
®
World History |
Session III: July 18 – 22 (July 5 early
registration deadline)
|
®
Environmental Science
®
French Language
®
Government and
Politics: US
|
®
Human Geography
®
Psychology
®
Statistics
|
Additional
information and registration for the Institute will be available at:
www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/aptti
**Interested
in academic credit? In the Talented and Gifted Endorsement? In the AP
Certificate?
Teachers
who register for APTTI may enroll for optional academic credit.
Each of these content areas corresponds to one of the requirements for the
State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement (programming strand) and for the Advanced Placement Certificate, a
demonstration of professional excellence sponsored by the College Board and The
University of Iowa College of Education. Enrollment
information will be available at the Website: www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/aptti.
Enrollment
forms are available the first day of each session.
Additional $125 cost for enrollment for credit; the University will bill on
August 1.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Laurie Croft (laurie-croft@uiowa.edu)
800.336.6463
July 21-25, 2005
| Location:
|
Depart from Council Bluffs and return
|
| Features:
|
Presentations and topics for
all grade levels by knowledgeable experts
Ride in the comfort of a Northwest Iowa Transportation coach
Corps of Discovery – Lewis & Clark
Western Historic Trail Center
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center – Nebraska City, NE
Missouri River boat ride
|
|
| Advantages:
|
Completion in 5-day session
Inclusive price – lodging, food and 2 hours UNI credit
Interdisciplinary connections for elementary and secondary teachers
Earn 2 hours college credit with successful completion of course
Relevant materials, plus
relaxing and informal week
|
|
Cost:
|
$299.00 byFriday, June 10, 2005; $350.00 after this date |
|
Mr. ____
Ms. ____ Grade
Level(s) Taught: __________
Name_________________________________________
Home Address__________________________________
City____________________ State____ Zip__________
Phone__________________ Fax___________________
E-mail________________________________________
_____
Check here if you do not
want the above information
included
on a roster distributed to participants.
_____
Check here if you have any special needs, including
dietary.
We’ll call to discuss how we can meet your needs.
*Enrollment
is limited. Registrations are
taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration is confirmed when payment is received.
|
|
FAX:
319/273-7103 |
 |
MAIL:
J. GILLEN - UNI SABIN 11
CEDAR FALLS
,
IA
50614-0406
|
|
PHONE:
800/601-3899 OR 319/273-5952
|
|
|
ANNOUNCING…
IOWA
IN
GHANA
MICHAEL
WARREN AND THE BONO-TECHIMAN
APRIL
1 THROUGH
MAY
31, 2005
501
SYCAMORE STREET
,
WATERLOO
8th
FLOOR
This exhibit explores the lifelong
relationship between Professor Dennis Michael Warren, a cultural
anthropologist at
Iowa
State
University
,
with the people and culture of the Bono-Techiman traditional area in
Ghana
.
The exhibit consists of 250 prints,
selected video clips, and contemporary cultural artifacts.
Dr. Warren played a pioneering role in
the study of indigenous knowledge and its applications to rural
development in
Africa
.
Upon his death, his collection was donated to the
University
of
Iowa
library.
This exhibition is provided courtesy of
the Cedar Rapids African American Museum.
The exhibit’s
Waterloo
appearance is sponsored by the African American Historical and Cultural
Museum of Waterloo.
For more information, please call
319/433-0768.
|
Geographic Alliance of Iowa Calendar of Events
|
March 2005
13-19
UNI
Spring Break
|
April 2005
1
Iowa
Geographic Bee –
DMACC
8-10
Great Lakes
Regional Social Studies Conference
-
Grand
River
Center
-
Dubuque
|
24-25
National
Geography Bee –
Washington
,
DC
|
June 2005
10-17
Alaska’s
Inside Passage
23-24
Geography
of the Civil
Rights
Movement in the Cedar
Valley
|
July 2005
21-25
Reliving
the Travels of Lewis & Clark in Iowa
|
August 2005
22
UNI fall semester begins
|
|
September 2005
17
Fall
GAI Steering
Committee Meeting –
Des Moines
|
October 2005
4-5
ICSS
–
Des
Moines
Airport – Holiday Inn &
Convention Center
12-15
NCGE
–
Birmingham,
AL
Sheraton
|
November 2005
|
| Geography
News is a free publication of the GAI and produced with the support of the
Department of Geography at the
University
of
Northern
Iowa
.
The
Alliance
is funded by a grant from the National Geographic Society.
Permission is granted to reproduce any parts of the newsletter.
|
Geography
News
Staff
GAI Coordinator
Associate Editor |
Dr.
Kay E. Weller
Jane Gillen |
e-mail:
kay.weller@uni.edu
jane.gillen@uni.edu
GAI
Website: http://www.uni.edu/gai
