Iowa Public Television
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The 10 Goals of Iowa's ZOOM Into Action

  1. showcase Iowa kids making a difference though volunteerism
  2. motivate kids to volunteer
  3. help kids connect with volunteer opportunities
  4. feature locations throughout the state in places like schools, libraries, museums, and community centers (each ZOOM Iowa program features a different Iowa town or city)
  5. highlight kids' volunteer activities throughout Iowa on the ZOOM Iowa Web site and inclusion on the "ZOOM team"
  6. provide educational resources to educators interested in service learning projects at school
  7. emphasize community outreach events that feature community service
  8. encourage individual service efforts at home
  9. encourage viewers to see ZOOM as active experience-Kids Don't Just Watch ZOOM, They Do ZOOM
  10. contribute to enhancing the lives of young Iowans and Iowa communities
ZOOM Connects to the National Council of the Social Studies

ZOOM Into Action Guidelines:
  1. showcase Iowa kids on ZOOM programs
  2. feature kids making a difference in schools and communities
  3. inspire other kids to volunteer
  4. highlight cooperation and collaboration
  5. invite kids to join the ZOOMteam
  6. invite contributions to ZOOM Iowa Web site
NCSS Thematic Strand in the Social Studies:
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Civic Ideals and Practices Strand--
Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic.
  1. An understanding of civic ideals and practices of citizenship is critical to full participation in society and is a central purpose of the social studies. All people have a stake in examining civic ideals and practices across time and in diverse societies as well as at home, and in determining how to close the gap between present practices and the ideals upon which our democratic republic is based.
  2. Learners confront such questions as:
    • What is civic participation and how can I be involved?
    • What is the role of the citizen in the community and the nation, and as a member of the world community?
    • How can I make a positive difference?
Source: National Council for the Social Studies, 1994, http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/toc.html
ZOOM Connects to National Science Content Standards

ZOOM's 6 habits of mind
  1. being curious and asking questions
  2. making predictions
  3. looking for multiple solutions
  4. cooperating and working together
  5. recognizing patterns
  6. making observations and drawing conclusions
Connection to Science Standards:
National Science Education Standards, National Research Council, 1995

Content Standard A: As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop
  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  • Understanding about scientific inquiry
Scientific Inquiry (as defined by the National Science Education Standards):
  • observing
  • inferring
  • experimenting
  • describing objects/events
  • asking questions
  • constructing explanations
  • testing explanations against current scientific knowledge
  • communicating ideas to others
  • identifying assumptions
  • using critical/logical thinking
  • considering alternative explanations
Source: National Science Education Standards, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington D.C., 1996, www.nas.edu

ZOOM Activity Rubric (downloadable Word document)