Junior Scholars Academy (JSA)

Classes Session 2 - June 23-27, 2008

Chemistry Around You

Experience a personal, hands-on introduction to chemistry through the study of matter, chemical interactions, and the chemistry of water quality…

Find out about atomic theory and the structure and behavior of matter through field investigations and classroom experiences. Classes will be held on campus in science laboratories in Van Allen Hall. Daily investigations will utilize a variety of laboratory and technological tools, such as graphing calculators, hand held computers, chemical analysis probeware, and geolocation tools such as GPS and GIS digital mapping. Gain experience in applying chemical knowledge in various problem-solving situations and explore societal issues with a special focus on the chemistry of water quality in our local watersheds.

Instructor

Dr. Erica Larson serves as a Science Consultant at Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids, IA. She has Ph.D. and M.A.T. degrees in science education from the University of Iowa. Her B.S. is also from the University of Iowa where she majored in general sciences with an emphasis in life and physical science. Dr. Larson’s holds an Iowa Master Educator License and is endorsed in Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Physical Science, Biological Science and General Science. She taught chemistry, physics, physical science and earth sciences to secondary students in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and South Dakota for over 19 years. Dr. Larson also has nine years of previous experience teaching the concepts of physics and physical sciences to 5th through 8th grade talented and gifted students in the Grant Wood AEA College for Kids Program. {Dr. Larson is the current president of the Iowa Academy of Science and past president of the Iowa Science Teachers Section of the Iowa Academy of Science. She has conducted professional development workshops for Korean Science Teachers at the University of Iowa for the past 5 years. She also presented at the 2005 International Seminar on The Comparison of Science Education Materials of Western and Asian Countries organized by the Korean Association for Research in Science Education and Science Education Research Institute of the Seoul National Universitywhich was held in Seoul, South Korea. She has taken students to Costa Rica and travels extensively with her family including trips to Colorado, Hawaii, the Bahamas and England. Her areas of interests include family, reading, hiking, and travel. This is her second year to teach in the Belin-Blank Center’s JSA Program.

Christopher Soldat is a Science Consultant at Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, IA. He was formerly a middle-school science teacher in the Mid-Prairie School District, where he taught physical, earth and space science to seventh and eighth grade students for twenty-two years. Christopher received his Ed.S. degree in Science Education from the University of Iowa, his M.A. and B.S.E. degrees from Truman State University, and B.A. degree from Coe College. He has received the National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescence- Science. He has received teaching fellowships from Access Excellence in Biotechnology, Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation in Environmental Education and was a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program participant at Katajanokka Elementary School in Helsinki, Finland through the United States Information Service. He has taught in the Grant Wood AEA College for Kids program. This is his second year to teach in the Belin-Blank Center’s JSA Program.