Iowa Child Newsletter
A Vision for Iowa’s Future
March/April, 2002
Educators Brainstorm Program Opportunities for Immediate Impact
Educators from across Iowa and the nation gather in Iowa City for a two-day meeting of the Iowa Child Education Design Team (EDT) in February. The education meeting was supported through the Institute’s U.S. Department of Education grant. Over the course of the two days, the EDT held four break-out sessions with four topics discussed at each session. Discussion topics included: human coalition building, use of space in the facility, remote sensing, health, audiences, off-site learning and interim partnerships.
The EDT brainstormed two ways in which the Iowa Child Institute could become an “attraction without walls” immediately, meeting the Institute’s educational objectives, as well as providing effective marketing and fundraising tools:
- Microexhibits – The group recommended producing microexhibits – small traveling exhibits – about the rainforest and taking them on the road to schools, community centers and organizations, and malls.
- Virtual Web Environment – The group recommended creating a three-year project to create a digital environment for marketing and education. It would provide exploration of a virtual environment that is usable now, but also supports the physical project later.
The Institute Board of Directors has charged project staff with exploring both options. They will present development options at the next board meeting.
Support for Educational and Environmental Attraction Growing
Iowa PTA Endorses Project
The Iowa PTA officially endorsed the Iowa Child initiative last month, sending a letter of support for the educational and environmental mission.
Kim Winterhof, who specializes in environmental issues with the Iowa PTA, congratulated the Institute on its dedication to the future of education in Iowa.
“It is with pleasure that I related to you the decision of the Iowa PTA to be supportive of the Iowa Child Institute. PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States,” wrote Winterhof. “We are excited that Iowa children will be given the opportunity to learn about tropical rainforests, prairies and wetlands first-hand. These ecosystems are the very ones that have shaped the history and lifestyle of Iowans.”
Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council in Support of Project
At the annual meeting of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council meeting in February, the union approved a resolution to support the development of the educational and environmental attraction. The Trades Council recognizes the considerable economic impact from tourism and construction activity, and is also supportive of the project’s commitment to the environment and education through “green development” and the creation of an interactive learning environment.
In addition to fully supporting the Iowa Child initiative, the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council further encourages “…the construction of other projects with equal vision in order to continue building a solid future for Iowa.”
Director of Education, Professor Robert E. Yager, Honored for Distinguished Service
At the annual meeting of the National Association of Science-Technology-Society last month, Professor Robert E. Yager was recognized as the recipient of the 2002 Prestigious Distinguished Service Prospectus. The award, which recognizes technology leaders, is awarded by Epsilon Pi Tau, an international honorary society for professions in technology. Professor Yager is the 50th recipient of the award.
Institute Seeks Federal Support for Project
During February, Iowa Child staff made two trips to Washington, DC, to promote the goals of the project and garner additional support on a national level. Jane Van Voorhis and project architect, Peter Sollogub, met with a variety of grant-making agencies, including the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education. They also met with legislative staff from the offices of Senator Harkin, Senator Grassley and Representative Leach, where the project was positively received.
Sheila Boyd also represented the project on the annual Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington DC.
The Institute will submit a formal request for special appropriations in support of the project later this month.
Information Requests?
We are committed to continue spreading the word about the Iowa Child Institute. If you are interested in having us speak to your organization or club, or if there is something you would like to learn more about or see in an upcoming newsletter, please let us know! You may read this and past newsletters on our web site: www.iowachild.org/news.html.
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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