Hi
Spring has sprung and with it comes thoughts of summer vacation! Before you leave for break, remember to highlight August 1 on your calendar. This is the first day that Silos & Smokestacks will be accepting Bus Grant applications. In 2010-2011, Silos will distribute $10,000 to schools within the Heritage Area, enabling students and teachers to visit one of over 100 partner sites in northeast Iowa.
This year, the application process has been lengthened with the addition of the following question, "Describe what part of the American agricultural story the class will learn about." It is important that this questions is answered thoroughly. If you have any questions about the application process please call 319.234.4567 or email areid@silosandsmokestacks.org. Remember to get your applications in early. Last year all funds were depleted in 5 weeks!
Below, you will find information on two great field study trip destinations! Enjoy the spring and I hope to hear from you early this summer.
Angi Reid
Education & Interpretation Manager
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
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| Scenic Empress Boat Club | |
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Take your class on an exploration of the Iowa river on a Scenic Empress Boat. Based in Iowa Falls, the Scenic Empress  Boat Club is available for school field trips! Topics that can be covered include: - Water Quality
- Historic Cruises
- River Ecology
- Land Management
Cruises can be modified to fit your classroom needs. Cost per student is
$5-$7 with price adjustments made to fit school district needs. Also available on a first-come, first-served basis are 10 free educational cruises. These cruises are funded yearly and rules/funding may vary from year to year.
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| Professional Development |
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Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom program along with several partners are again offering a professional development opportunity for Iowa teachers to earn professional development or graduate level credit while learning more about agriculture and how to integrate it into their curriculum. Attendees will learn through a series of hands-on activities and will receive educational materials and local contacts for classroom resources. For the flyer listing the academy dates and locations, click here.
This is a great opportunity to learn about Silos & Smokestacks and how it can benefit your classroom! |
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The History Center | |
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 Learn all about Iowa's history at the Carl & Mary Koehler History Center in downtown Cedar Rapids. Toys, period clothing and artifacts bring history to life as groups walk through the large exhibit hall.
Field trip topics include:
- pioneer history
- military history
- industrial history
If your class is unable to attend an on-site field trip, check out CampSilos Excursions. Here students search through primary resources in order to complete lessons on-line! Through well developed lessons, students learn what it was like to live like a pioneer.
For more information on scheduling a field trip to the History Center call: 319-362-1501.
Cost per student is $3.00. |
| ICN Courses Available | |
Be sure to sign up for these upcoming ICN sessions. Visit: www.k12connections.iptv.org to register.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Pioneer Life
Presented by: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library
May 12-14
Grades: 3-6
Pioneers of the Prairie
Presented by: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library
Throughout the month of May
Grades: 3-6
Stories & More: FOOD
Presented by: IPTV
May 13
Grades: PreK-1
These sessions are free of charge! Make sure to check out IPTV K-12 Connections for more opportunies. |
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Spring Barnyard
Pigeons circle the wet glossy mud
like a cloud of fancies
but the pigs and ducks immerse themselves
in a puddle of facts
and eye my rubber boots suspiciously
as fellow travelers.
- James Hearst 1943
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 Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through the network of sites, programs and events, the Heritage Area's mission is to interpret farm life, agribusiness and rural communities - past and present. |
