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About Challenge Science
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Challenge Science
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ABOUT CHALLENGE-SCIENCE
Description of Iowa City Challenge Science
Topic: Archaeology
This class is offered through the Belin-Blank Center and in cooperation The Office of the State Archaeologist.
The first three Challenge Science Archaeology classes will introduce students to fundamental concepts necessary to understand archaeology as the science of past human cultures. Students will engage in activities that focus on observation:inference, context, chronology, classification, and scientific inquiry.
The second set of three sessions will demonstrate the process of archaeology and archaeology’s relationship to other sciences such as geology, botany, and zoology. Students will map a simulated archaeological site and analyze the contents.
Description of Des Moines Challenge Science
Topic: Natural Dyeing
Natural dyes are colors extracted from plants and insects and are “fixed” to cloth by means of minerals or metal salts. Natural dyeing techniques are centuries old; before 1856 all clothes and garments were naturally dyed. This course will explore the science of natural dyeing, the history of dye plants, and various artistic techniques used in dyeing cloth with natural materials. Creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm are essential tools for participation in this course. Students will be asked to explore their natural environments (and grocery stores) for natural dye-stuff materials.
Challenge Science: Overall Objectives
The Challenge Science program is designed to strengthen 5th-6th grade students' science interests and abilities. Students will receive direct instruction, and they will do independent, hands-on work. During class time, students will be expected to explore and solve problems; they will be expected to explain their reasoning. Occasionally, challenging assignments may be provided for home exploration.
Instruction
The Challenge Science program is designed to be an intensive mentorship program. Therefore, the maximum student/teacher ratio is 10:1 and the ideal ratio is 5:1. We are committed to having high-quality teachers trained in science as Challenge Science instructors. Click here to read more about our instructor. Click here to read more about our instructors.
Class Size
Minimum of five, maximum of ten students per class
Testing
Quizzes may be given periodically to help students maintain previously learned skills.
Text
There is no textbook for the course. Teacher-generated materials will be used.
Dates for Fall
Challenge Science is a semester program with 3-hour long classes taking place on six Saturdays during the fall semester (see site schedule link). Challenge classes will not be offered during the spring semester.
Location
Challenge Science class site for the fall semester of 2007 will be in Iowa City only.
Cost
Tuition is $320 for the class series.* This fee includes teacher salary, all of the cost for materials, and all curriculum development costs. The Belin-Blank Center underwrites the administrative costs, including the salary for a graduate assistant assigned to help with Challenge Science and any assessments that may be coordinated by the Belin-Blank Center.
*This is a semester fee, and we do not pro-rate the fees. There are no refunds or discounts for classes students must miss.
Financial aid is available for qualifying families.
Note
Please send a healthy snack (fruit, juice, crackers) to class with your child to enjoy during a mid-morning break.
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Blando, Ed.S - catherine-blando@uiowa.edu or
Susan Assouline, Ph.D - susan-assouline@uiowa.edu
(800)336-6463
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