Home | Iowa Science Phenomena

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:

Browse or search the site to find an Iowa-based phenomenon to align to your learning standard.
Grow your phenomena skills and knowledge with our Iowa Science Phenomena Teacher Guide.
Equip your students to engage their own curiosity and be phenomenon-finders for themselves with the Iowa Science Phenomena Student Guide.
Capture and share your phenomena to the project.

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

Iowa Core Standard

Disciplinary Core Idea

limestone outcroppings showing ocean fossils

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.

Area along the shores of the Mississippi River with complete loss of trees

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.

Flesh of apple browned after exposed to air

Apple Flesh Changes When Exposed to Air

After an apple is split open and exposed to oxygen, the flesh slowly turns brown as the oxygen starts to combine with the elements and compounds in the apple.