Mark Twain said the Missouri River is too thick to drink and too thin to plow. The Big Muddy doesn’t get the kind of attention the Mighty Mississippi does, but it’s the longest river in North America and pivotal in the history of our nation. When it was time for Lisa Dill’s family to replace the old pontoon boat on Lake Okoboji, her cousins suggested taking it on a journey down the Missouri and giving it away at the end. Dill jumped on board. She wrote about the experience and the river in 'Around the Bend: Floating Down the Missouri River.' Then, school's out for summer, but that doesn't mean we can't still learn. In the first installment of 'Talk of Iowa Summer School,' middle school science teacher Mark Dorhout shares how birdhouses can be a tool to encourage the next generation of citizen scientists.
Lucius Pham
/
Iowa Public Radio
-
The Midwest Newsroom is examining the effect that shorter school weeks are having in communities across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. We invite you to share your opinion using the form in this article. -
While some school district leaders report positive immediate outcomes, there is limited research to show how shortening the school week affects student learning and socialization — or how parents tackle child care and work schedules. -
The second legislative deadline for lawmakers to get most bills approved by a committee is coming up at the end of this week.
-
One of the state's largest school districts is looking at restructuring to cover the loss of COVID-19 relief money. -
As children savor the last few weeks of summer, teachers are in a rush to transform their classrooms into a fun, welcoming environment as cost-effectively as possible. -
Jazz musician Gabriel Espinosa is retiring as director of jazz studies at Central College this spring, but his music career is far from over.
-
On this encore episode, education professionals discuss the teacher shortage across the state.
-
Summer break is over and kids are going back to school. The only thing some classrooms need now is a teacher. Schools across the country are putting together bonus packages to attract the educators they need. -
Students across the state are getting ready to head back to school, at a time when many districts are scrambling to find the teachers and support staff they need.
