Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Heartland AEA has purchased access to Mystery Science for all elementary schools. Mystery Science lessons are open-and-go and inspire students to love science. Simply gather a few materials and start teaching right away! Start making the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. We think you’ll find the videos and lessons to be engaging and supportive of inquiry. Watch this short overview video.
This digital resource is a little different from the others provided through Heartland AEA. Mystery Science is geared to teachers, not students. While the videos will be shown to students, the support materials are for teachers.
HOW TO ACCESS
Teachers access Mystery Science through a personal account they create independently. You’ll find the link on our website here and here. This the direct link.
To create an account the first time, follow the online prompts or check these four steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
If you have created an account in the past and have difficulty logging in, email support@mysteryscience.com, or call (650) 550-0670.
For additional questions about how to use Mystery Science in your classroom, contact Susan Schrader, Heartland AEA Director of Resources and Library Services at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14332 or the Heartland AEA Science Consultant who serves your district.
The two-day Iowa Science Standards Module 2 workshops are a continuation of the work that was begun last year with the Iowa Core Science Standards Overview (Module 1). Participation in Module 1 (or something equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 2. The focus this year will be on unpacking the standards and developing coherent science lessons/units. This will include identifying "the right" (scientific) phenomena to use in a lesson/unit, using portions of the EQuIP Rubric to measure the alignment to the NGSS and overall quality of lessons/units and bundling standards in a lesson/unit. All workshops are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Educators have the option of taking the Iowa Science Standards Module 1 from AEA PD Online. This can be used as a review or as new learning for those who were unable to take the PD last year. If you choose to take the online Module 1, we encourage you to take this session as a group, so you have meaningful group conversations. To access Module 1 Online visit the AEA PD Online website, click on the "Catalog" button and search for "science standards." Participants will need to login (or create a login) in order to take this online module.
All Module 2 workshops and registration links can be found on this page of our website.
The Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) is a teacher-led process for collecting data about student cognitive engagement during class time, for organizing the data into user-friendly profiles, and for faculty collaborative study of the data so classroom teachers can more effectively design and implement quality learning experiences for their students.
Instructional Practices Inventory Level I and Level II workshops are scheduled this month at Heartland AEA in Johnston and Sawyer Elementary in Ames.
Instructional Practices Inventory Level I Workshop
Date: Oct. 25, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pmRegistration Link
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
The Level I workshop provides:
- An overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection
- Detailed practice in the recognition of the IPI categories
- Skill development to develop basic understanding of the protocols for data collection
- Classroom observation
- Strategies to engage faculty in collaborative study of the data
- Classroom scenario coding
- Endorsement certification as an IPI data collector
Instructional Practices Inventory Level II Workshop
Date: Oct. 26, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Link
Location: Sawyer Elementary, 4316 Ontario St, Ames, IA
The Level II workshop provides IPI teams (administrators, teacher leaders and others who have completed Level I) with a deeper understanding of the IPI Process and the existing evidence about the most appropriate practices when implementing the IPI Process including:
- Developing insight about strategies for effectively collecting IPI data
- Increasing IPI team’s knowledge and strategies for leading the faculty study of the data
- Providing the opportunity for the teams to critique their schools’ IPI processes, successes and challenges
- Building a richer perspective of why the IPI is valuable for a school
Learn more about National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards. Steve Leinwand, lead author of Principles to Actions, Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents and policymakers at all grade levels. Steve is a Principal Research Analyst at American Institutes for Research. Spread the word to educators who would benefit from this professional learning activity!
Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5)
K-5 Registration
Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)
6-12 Registration
FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny
Take the Survey!
The AASA: The School Superintendents Association is moving forward with the next step of its advocacy effort in response to USED’s proposed regulations on supplement/supplant. This step involves completing a survey. The 15 item survey starts with a very brief summary of the department’s proposal. AASA will use the responses to this survey with the USED and members of Congress to advocate for regulations that maximize LEA flexibility with Title I funds.
The Iowa Department of Education’s Oct. 2016 School Leader Update is now available.
