Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Outdoor Explorations for Early Learners Workshop

June 25-26, 2015
8:00 am-5:15 pm (6/25); 8:00am-3:30pm (6/26)
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area/E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center (8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA 52003)
Registration: Keystone AEA

Registration Deadline: June 18, 2015

Registration Fee: $175; 1 Teacher Recertification Credit: Additional $85

This inquiry-based outdoor exploration workshop is designed to help early childhood professionals lead children in age-appropriate, interdisciplinary outdoor experiences. You will be introduced to strategies, skills, and resources (including Growing Up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood) to build upon children's sense of wonder about the world around them through relevant, inquiry-based exploration.

Both guides have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education – NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and the NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. Additional activity correlations have been drafted to Iowa program and curriculum standards – Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum and the Iowa Core Curriculum. Activities promote and support developmentally appropriate practice in multiple ways.

Activities are presented with a wide range of options to support children at various developmental levels focused on children ages 3 – 7 years. Participants will interact with a variety of professionals (i.e. classroom teachers, childcare providers, environmental educators) all leading early learners outdoors.



 



 
 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Students Recognized for Iowa State-Fish Drawings

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Wildlife Forever® State-Fish Art® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Contest in conjunction with the annual “Take It
1st Place Grades K-3
Outside” Art Contest.

The State-Fish Art Contest uses art to ignite children’s imagination while teaching them about fish and fishing. Entries showcased students’ favorite Iowa fish in its natural habitat. All entries were original hand-drawn artwork. Winners were selected based on portrayal of theme, creative expression, originality, visual appeal, and artistic merit. 

Individual winners:
1st Place Grades 4-6
Grades K-3
1st Place – Emma F., Homeschool
2nd Place – Jonah V., Homeschool
3rd Place – Carley F., Adair-Casey Community Schools

Grades 4-6
1st Place – Benjamin S., Homeschool
2nd Place – Nathan P., Mid-Prairie Home School Assistance Program
3rd Place – Anessa S., Benton Community Schools
1st Place Grades 7-9

Grades 7-9
1st Place – Helen H., Ames Community Schools
2nd Place – Gretchen M., North Polk Community Schools
3rd Place – Carmen A., Benton Community Schools

Grades 10-12
1st Place – Hunter F., Twin Cedars Community Schools


Artists who placed first in their age group are invited, along
1st Place Grades 10-12
with their families, to attend the 17th Annual State-Fish Art Expo held in conjunction with FLW during the Forrest L. Wood Cup bass world championship on August 21-22 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Every participant received a Certificate of Recognition. Winning entries will be displayed during the Iowa State Fair at the DNR building.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Iowa DNR to Release Trumpeter Swans at Four Locations

Trumpeter swans will be released by the Iowa DNR at public events at four southern Iowa parks. Events will be held rain or shine.

May 6:
Lake Icaria Recreation Area, 9:30 a.m., at East boat ramp; four swans to be released
Summit Lake, 1 p.m., boat ramp on south side of Hwy 25; four swans to be released


May 7:
Viking Lake State Park, 10 a.m. at beach; two swans to be released
Lake Anita State Park, 2 p.m.; two swans to be released


The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The event includes a 20-minute swan/wetland presentation, a unique opportunity to touch and view the swans up close, and a historic photo opportunity with the kids. As the largest North American waterfowl, these magnificent all-white birds can weigh up to 32 pounds with an 8-foot wingspan.

Trumpeter swans were once common in Iowa, but were gone from the state by the late 1880s.By the early 1930s, only 69 trumpeter swans remained in the lower 48 states. The trumpeter swans being released are part of the DNR’s statewide trumpeter swan restoration effort, with hopes that they will help restore a wild free flying population to Iowa.