Skip to main content

Welcome to the Iowa Science Phenomena website! The goal of this website and service is to create, curate, collect and share a growing collection of user-generated, media-based, standards aligned, science phenomena resources for use in Iowa classrooms, as well as support Iowa teachers as they continue to implement phenomena-based and place-based teaching practices.

There are several ways you can be involved in this project:

Questions? Please contact us at phenomena@iowapbs.org.

Mating Pair of Barred Owls

Owls only tend to interact together in a coupling and are territorial in order to protect their hunting grounds and their young.

Cat Steps in the Loess Hills

The Loess Hills of western Iowa are a unique landform, the formation of which has resulted in characteristic "steps" in the hills.

Pink Rock Roads

Distinct differences road surfaces across Iowa are connected to geologic processes over time and location.

Assessing Water Quality Through Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates can help limnologists assess water quality when looking at the biodiversity of a stream

Dissolved Oxygen Levels at F.W. Kent Lake

Data show the changes in dissolved oxygen levels from various test locations over the summer months.

Reed Canary Grass on the Banks of the Mississippi River

Reed canary grass grows natively in Europe and Asia, but in taking over in some Iowa locations.

Limestone Bluffs of Eden Valley Refuge

Eden Valley Refuge features the exposed limestone outcrops. Limestone is a sedimentary rock and is formed by an accumulation of skeletal fragments of marine organisms.

Declining Population in Bumble Bee Species

Rusty patched bumble bees were listed as endangered in 2017. This is just one species of bumble bee that has been on the decline.

Impact of Tree “Dead Zones” Along Mississippi River Shores

Areas along the shores of the Mississippi River experiencing complete loss of trees which causes a decline in ecosystem biodiversity.

Avian Influenza Infects Dairy Cattle

Avian influenza is a virus that affects bird populations, both domestic and wild. Like all viruses, avian influenza changes over time due to mutations that affect proteins.

Kiko Goats Control Invasive Plants

Using goats to control invasive trees, shrubs and other plants unique solution for maintaining remnant prairie.

Monarch Caterpillars Eating a Milkweed Leaf

The time-lapse video captures two monarch caterpillars feeding on a milkweed leaf, showcasing a key part of their life cycle and illustrates the caterpillars' role in the ecosystem as they consume plant matter.

REAPCorporation for Public BroadcastingAlliant EnergyMusco Lighting Pella