The Iowa Geoscience Education Information Network

Explore Iowa Geology

Education

Never regard your study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the sprit for your own personal joy and to profit of the community to which your latter work belongs. - Albert Einstein

Discovering Iowa's diverse geologic landscapes

Do you have a geology lesson or activity that is fun and helps people learn? Are you looking for one? One of the primary IGEIN goals is to provide Iowa’s teachers, parents, and naturalists with engaging geology lessons and activities.  A secondary goal is develop lessons and activities that are specifically linked Iowa’s parks, playgrounds, backyards (landscapes)!  If you have something to share or would like some feedback on a lesson that you have been developing? Please contact chad.heinzel@uni.edu

University of Northern Iowa (Dr. C. E. Heinzel)

UNI Earth and Environmental Sciences : Where Every Day is Earth Day Page

Fall 2024

Introduction to Geology

Geomorphology

Winter term 2025

Natural Resources and Civilizations - Iceland (logistics page and content page)

Summer term 2025

 Natural Resources and Civilizations - Italy

In the hole

Environmental Career Readiness

Soils and Landscapes 

Natural Resources and Civilizations (N.R.C.)

Geochemistry of the Land

Geologic Field Methods

Geologic Resources of Iowa for Teachers

Introduction to Environmental Earth Science

K-12 grade specific activities

Iowa the Rivers of Her Valleys Project Iowa DNR REAP CEP Funded, 2021)

Iowa's Emerging Water Quality Issues : Contamination to Recreation  

K-5

6-12

Techniques for Science Teachers - Using GIS in science classrooms and activities

Geology of Iowa

Iowa's Suface

Handouts: Iowa Landscapes, Tama Soil 1, Iowa Soils 2

Iowa's Bedrock

UNI Earth Science/Geology (Professional Development)

Geology of Iowa for Teachers (Sponsored by the Iowa Limestone Producers Association)

Course Work Samples(2001-2011)

UNI Earth Science Update Conferences

(Sponsored by theIowa Limestone Producers)

2013 The Earth Sciences, Natural Resources and Society

2012 Limestone and its importance to Iowa's Economy

2011 Earthquakes, Tsunami, and natural hazards

Tools & Ideas

Using Google Earth to help your student's learn about the Geology of Iowa (Super cool!)

Digital teaching resources

The Science Education Resource Center @ Carleton College, MN (Teaching activities)

Links for Environmental Sustainability in Education

Recommended podcasts  

Classroom techniques

Gallery Walks

Think-Pair-Share

Pyramid testing

Geologic Jeopardy

Quick Links

Virtual Field Trips

Understanding Science (UC Berkeley)

Iowa Flood Center

Science Education Resource Center (Carleton College)

National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA)

IDigBio

Interesting reading

Forget what you know about good study habits (NY Times - Benedict Carey)