Iowa Child Newsletter
A Vision for Iowa’s Future
January 25, 2002
Education Update
Task force advisory groups are being formed to review portions the project. Each task force group will evaluate each of these areas’ programs, missions, staffing needs and calendars. The following will act as chairs of the task forces:
- Preparation of New Teachers
Cherin Lee, Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA - Research Experiences for K-12 Students
Ernie Schille, President of Junior Academy of Science, Donnellson, IA - Collaboration Among AEA Administrators
Ron Fielder, Director AEA 10, Cedar Rapids, IA - Collaboration Among AEA Science Consultants
Tony Heiting, State Science Consultant - Collaboration Among Community College Instructors
Mary Lou Lauer, Instructor of Microbiology, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA - Organizations for Adult Learning
Jane Lauer, Assistant Dean of Extended Learning, Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA - Collaboration with Teacher Professional Organizations
Donna Niday, Head of Iowa Coalition of Education, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
The Education Team is focusing on enriching the learning experience for all who visit the Iowa Child project. They are actively working with the Local Education Advisory Council on community outreach, brainstorming ideas with local citizens about environmental programs, forecasting the projected need of employees and envisioning the design details of the facility. Those who are interested in participating in a task force group, please contact:
Judy Pfohl
319.335.3327
[email protected]
ConsultEcon, Incorporated Visits Iowa
January 22-24, Robert Brais of ConsultEcon, Inc. visited with business leaders, community members and the media to discuss the results of his Economic Feasibility Evaluation of the Iowa Child project. A consultant for the Iowa Child Institute, Brais found that an increase in visitor spending in the state and the generation of over 2,000 new jobs are among the economic impacts that will result from the completion of the environmental attraction. “In a time of declining state revenues and a shrinking economy, this project provides a very positive economic development alternative for Iowa,” stated Governor Robert Ray, Chair the Institute’s Board. “An investment in this project is an investment in the future of this state.”
While the entire state will benefit from the project, eastern Iowa’s upside is substantial. Direct economic activity related to the project includes:
- 500 new construction jobs for three years, with an associated $348.9 million in new spending;
- $116.6 million in new annual expenditures state-wide, resulting in the creation of 2,169 new jobs, once the project is operating;
- $42.4 million in new direct spending in Johnson County alone, accounting for 798 new jobs
Brais is a consultant to an array of organizations including national, state and local governments and agencies. He has done work for both non-profit and financial institutions and universities. His client list includes the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, US Figure Skating Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs and America’s River Project in Dubuque, Iowa.
Iowa Child Attends Business Expo
On January18 and 19, 2002 we participated at the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center’s Eleventh Annual Business Expo at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Iowa Child Institute was present asking for community input and sharing the progress of the project. We visited with over 2,000 business leaders and community members and with the help of many younger citizens, created a magnificent work of “eco-systems” art. The two canvases will be displayed at the Coralville Public Library and the North Liberty Community Public Library.
New Staff Join Project
Judy Pfohl of Iowa City has joined the project’s Educational Design Team as Program Assistant. Mrs. Pfohl is building ties with individuals and educational organizations around the community, while gathering ideas and support for the Iowa Child’s curriculum. She has diverse experience ranging from clinical chemistry research to environmental education. Mrs. Pfohl has Masters degrees in Business Administration and Hospitals and Health, certifications in Medical Technology, Elementary Education and Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa.
Sarah Williams of Swisher, IA has also joined the Educational Team as a Research Assistant. Ms. Williams will focus on environmental education research and curriculum development. Formerly with Americorps and Trees Forever, Ms. Williams has experience with implementing environmental education to numerous age groups of students. Ms. Williams has a degree in environmental studies and psychology from the University of Iowa.
Katie Arnold of Iowa City is our new Media Relations Coordinator. She is working on communications with the media and newsletter updates with the Board Members, giving presentations around the community as well as contributing to the marketing of the Iowa Child Project. A graduate of Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, her background includes work in reporting, public education and politics.
Any Suggestions?
Our goal with this Iowa Child Newsletter is to keep our supporters up-to-date on the latest happenings within the Iowa Child Institute. If there’s something you’d like to see in this newsletter in the coming months, let us know. Please contact Sheila Boyd at [email protected] or Katie Arnold at [email protected].
To read current newspaper articles, visit:
Daily Iowan 1/23/02
“Iowa Child economical, group says”
http://www.dailyiowan.com/cgi-bin/ArchiveIQue.acgi$rec=60089-30573
Press-Citizen 1/23/02
“Iowa Child study: Project will support 798 new jobs”
http://www.press-citizen.com/news/iowachild/index.htm
For more information, contact:
Sheila Boyd
319.351.4400
[email protected]
Katie Arnold
319.621.5752
[email protected]
June 26, 2002 >| March 14, 2002 >| January 25, 2002 >| December 5, 2001 >
November 1, 2001 >| October 8, 2001 >| August 31, 2001 >
The Institute is a non-profit development group established to further the goals of the environmental learning project. The Board of the Institute includes 18 prominent business, civic and educational leaders.
Iowa Child Board Members
Robert D. Ray, Chairman; Steve Alford; Thomas Aller; Robert Burnett; Richard Canella; Ronald S. Fielder; Jolene Franken; Hayden Fry; B.J. Furgerson; Joe Hladky; Dr. Stanley R. Johnson; Dr. Norm Nielson; David Oman; Merlin Plagge; Robert D. Ray; W. Ward Reynoldson; Richard M. Ryan, Jr.; David J. Skorton; Dr. Thomas J. Switzer; Ted Townsend; Paula Vincent.
Iowa Child Staff
David Oman, Vice Chairman
Jane VanVoorhis, Director of Grant Development
Sheila Boyd, Director of Community Relations
Irv Jensen, Communications Consultant
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