Media Specialists
April 2, 2014 - April 8, 2014

Find the latest educational resources from Iowa Public Television.

IPTV announces the Teacher Training Institute

Grades: Adult Learning

IPTV is excited to announce their first Teacher Training Institute. IPTV has recruited Master Teachers that are partnering with IPTV in creating model lessons that are cross curricular with STEM components. These model lessons will be presented in June at a hands-on training that will provide learning and networking opportunities for educators across the state.

The Costs and Benefits of Treating Gene Defects
Grades: 9-12

This video excerpt from NOVA uncovers the genetic mystery that nearly killed Alexis, now 14, and introduces the debate surrounding genetic testing at birth. After diagnosing Alexis and her twin brother Noah with cerebral palsy at a young age, doctors later discovered that the twins shared a rare genetic mutation that led to a condition that mimics cerebral palsy. The twins improved after receiving treatment, but then Alexis took a turn for the worse. Thanks to whole genome sequencing, doctors discovered a second problem linked to the mutation and gave her a different treatment that saved her life.

Explore Your Inner Animals | Your Inner Fish

Grades: 6-12

Dive inside the human body with this interactive experience from Your Inner Fish, and discover how our bodies hold the clues to the history of human evolution. Explore how the biology of our eyes, hands, brains and more have each evolved to make us uniquely human, while at the same time unveiling the astonishing similarities that we still hold with the rest of the animal kingdom.

The Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Grades: 9-12

This video excerpt from NOVA examines a genetic screening technique called preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. PGD enables researchers to identify mutations in an embryo's DNA that can lead to birth defects and more than 300 diseases, including Huntington's, cystic fibrosis, and some cancers. While the technique allows parents who use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to better understand the risk that their child might be diagnosed with a terrible disease, it is also being used in some parts of the world to select for sex. Serious ethical questions are being raised about this use and about the possibility of expanding the list of traits that are screened for.

Growing Independent

Grade Range: 2-6

This video from Nature features fledgling bald eagles along the Upper Mississippi River. It's fall and the Mississippi is teeming with life. Water birds like the American coot are especially abundant this time of year-a welcome gift for the region's bald eagles. Young eagles master the art of hunting and play with their spoils like it's a game akin to rugby. Watching these majestic creatures soar through the air, it's hard to imagine they were almost extinct a few generations ago.

Dire Prediction from UN Panel: Climate Change May Spin 'Out of Control'
Grade Range: 7-13+

The message of a report delivered by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is clear: the world has to act swiftly if it is going to mitigate some of the worst impacts of climate change. But while a majority of Americans may believe there is solid evidence that the planet is getting warmer, only about a third say it should be a legislative priority this year. In this PBS NewsHour video, explore the global concern over climate change and the reaction from Americans to the threat.

Department of Education Finds Pattern of Inequality by Race in Public Schools

Grade Range: 7-12

The Department of Education published a report that shows sweeping patterns of disparity by race in public schools across the country, including fewer advanced classes available to students of color and a disproportionately high percentage of suspensions. Use these resources from PBS NewsHour to get this important discussion going in your classroom.

Shape House

Grade Range: PreK-K

Being able to identify basic shapes and how they relate to each other is the foundation for understanding more complex geometrical concepts that we encounter in day-to-day tasks. This short video from KET demonstrates how shapes fit together by showing preschool students how to build a house out of shapes.

Recycling and Composting

Grade Range: K-5

In this lesson, students learn about the value renewable resources hold for our society and the broader community of living things. Because trees, fresh water, and clean air support most forms of life, we must protect these and other critical natural resources from over exploitation and pollution. Conservation, the practice of using natural resources in a way that ensures their continuing availability to future generations, is one approach. Through class discussion and various activities, students broaden their understanding of two important conservation activities that humans can engage in: recycling and composting.

What do you give a President and First Lady?
Grade Range: K-13+

Click the image to the right to view an interactive gallery of gifts to President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush by American citizens and foreign Heads of State. This resource is courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Resources | PBS LearningMedia | PBS KIDS | Iowa Public Television