Explore Local Phenomena

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Iowa Science Phenomena is an innovative platform for collecting and sharing standards-aligned science phenomena created by educators for Iowa classrooms and beyond.

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Igniting Iowa STEM: Science Phenomena Meets Teacher Externships

When a teacher introduces a local phenomenon, such as the ways in which industries select tools and materials to ensure personnel safety, students' learning makes an important shift to problem solving and figuring things out, rather than simply learning about a topic. Iowa Science Phenomena from Iowa PBS is proud to support Iowa teachers as they continue to support students on this journey towards a deeper understanding of the science in the world around them but offering a growing collection of free, local standards-aligned phenomena, unique and relevant to the students and teachers of Iowa. Since 2019, Iowa PBS has partnered with the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program to grow this collection.

Read more about this unique partnership, check out this selection of teacher extern contributions, and then explore the full collection.

Assessing Water Quality Through Macroinvertebrates

Video

Charles City

Macroinvertebrates can help limnologists assess water quality when looking at the biodiversity of a stream

Impacts on Changing Monarch Populations

Chart

Cedar Rapids

Indian Creek Nature Center land management planning includes surveying butterfly populations, and data shows how the 2020 derecho is impacting those survey results.

Declining Population in Bumble Bee Species

Chart

Davenport

Rusty patched bumble bees were listed as endangered in 2017. This is just one species of bumble bee that has been on the decline.

Monarch Caterpillars Eating a Milkweed Leaf

Video

Spirit Lake

This time-lapse video captures two monarch caterpillars feeding on a milkweed leaf, and illustrates the caterpillars' role in the ecosystem as they consume plant matter.

Properties of Brass and Steel Alloys

Video

Adel

When working with natural gas, a spark can mean danger. Selecting tools made from the right materials can reduce that danger.

graph showing the change in phosphates at FW Kent after Lake Restoration

Phosphate Changes at F.W, Kent Park Lake

Chart

Oxford

The Johnson County Conservation Board and Iowa DNR dredged the lake in F.W. Kent Park and created interconnecting catch basins to reset its water quality, using testing to monitor the progress.