The Iowa Chautauqua Program, initiated in 1983, has trained K-12 science teachers in Iowa schools, as well as in other states and countries. The program is a staff development model which assists 20-60 teachers at a given Area Education Agency (AEA) site with a three-year plan to implement the visions for school science that are described in the National Science Education Standards (NSES). The initial year includes:

• three-week summer workshop for K-12 teachers where teachers use materials, teaching strategies, and assessment plans that match NSES visions
  
  
• five-day trial of the new materials and strategies in the schools
  
  
• three-day short-course in October (Thursday p.m., Friday, and Saturday) to analyze the results of the five-day trials and to plan for a major module using the new material and approaches
  
  
• three-day short-course in the spring to report on the use of the month long module and assessment results
  
  
• developing specific plans for expanding the reform efforts and the collection of research evidence of successes in the schools (with additional teachers) over the next three years. These activities are organized and conducted by AEA staff in consultation with University of Iowa staff and area scientists.

For more information, call (319) 335-1189 or e-mail robert-yager@uiowa.edu.

Phone: 319/335-1189
E-Mail: robert-yager@uiowa.edu