Cancer in Iowa Teaching Resources

• Cancer in Iowa Report - This annual report produced by the Iowa Cancer Registry provides information about the projected top 10 cancers for males and females in Iowa with regard to incidence and mortality. It features in-depth information on a selected type(s) of cancer. It also contains a description of current or recent research projects and publications based on Iowa Cancer Registry Data.
• Cancer in Iowa Spotlight Series - This series provides short infographics on selected cancers in Iowa. 
• Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project - The Iowa Cancer Registry and University of Iowa College of Public Health, in collaboration with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Iowa Rural Health Association, is hosting the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project to present county-specific cancer information and address community concerns in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Teachers and their classrooms are welcome to get involved to address cancer concerns and promote healthier communities.
• Iowa Cancer Zones Map - This interactive mapping tool helps a teacher or classroom examine cancer incidence and population demographics by zones.
• Zip Code Level Cancer Maps - The zip code level cancer maps were designed to help illustrate areas of the state where risk for developing or dying from certain cancers is higher than the state average for selected cancers.
• Iowa Cancer InFocus - Cancer InFocus is a data gathering and visualization platform. The suite of tools provides interactive maps where one can examine county-level cancer incidence and mortality data alongside population demographics, social drivers of health, and behavioral risk factors. County Profiles can be generated for individual counties, consolidating all listed data items into a report.
• Iowa Cancer Plan - The Iowa Cancer Plan brings Iowans together to reduce the burden of cancer in Iowa. Created by experts and Iowans across the state, including a number of HCCC researchers and clinicians, the Iowa Cancer Plan includes five chapters focused on cancer as it relates to: Health Equity, Prevention and Risk Reduction, Early Detection and Screening, Diagnosis and Cancer-Directed Therapy, and Survivorship and End-of-Life Care. Each chapter provides concrete ways that partners can work together to lower cancer rates in Iowa. Watch these video stories from the Iowa Cancer Plan.

Iowa or Midwest Resources

• University of Iowa Healthcare K-12 Informational Materials - helpful online videos, webinars, and resources on paths to various medical careers. This website also includes activity videos to learn about science and the anatomy of the body and follow-along activities.
• Iowa STEM Teachable Moment - Teachable Moment is a collection of activities and lessons appropriate for the grade level listed and may also be suitable for learners of other ages and levels. Click on the activity title to access the activity or lesson. The lessons and activities are provided for educational purposes only and are sorted PK - Grade 5, Grades 6 - 8, Grades 9 - 12.

Resources from Cancer Centers

• Decoding Cancer - Rutgers Cancer Center has partnered with Discovery Education to create ready to use materials including interactive lessons, career info (it's more than just research and medicine!) and a virtual lab.
• Frontiers in Cancer Research - Fred Hutch Cancer Center has a variety of reaching resources, including Intro to Cancer and advanced Immunotherapy lessons.
• Cancer Terms Defined - students at Geffen Academy at University of California, Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center created a series of peer-to-per informational videos defining basic terms around cancer, cancer diagnosis, and cancer research.
• Cure4Kids - St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Cure4Kids offers online education and collaboration tools that are freely available to registered users. Cure4Kids is an online resource dedicated to providing content to educators and healthcare professionals to work together to enhance the care of children around the globe with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Other Recommended Resources

• Vaping & Electronic Smoking tools and resources for Iowa school educators, teachers, health services staff, administrators, and those who are working to address the use of these products in schools - this page includes presentations, talking points, posters, and downloadable social media images and messages.
• eCLOSE - eCLOSE flexible learning modules can plug into 10, 20, 30, or 60 minute slots. You and your students CAN contribute to cancer research, even in the midst of a busy teaching schedule. eCLOSE modules replace those tired laboratory exercises where students try to get predetermined answers, instead promoting open inquiry, scientific exploration, and most importantly, contribution to ongoing cancer research studies. This website also includes information on how to request teacher professional development workshops for your school or district.
• The Great Diseases, The Cancer Module - Tufts University, School of Medicine,  Center for Science Education has a five unit lesson plan that builds upon itself to teach about cancer and what it means for our health. This resource includes virtual activities and case studies.

• Livestrong at School offers age-appropriate lessons for grades K-12 to help children understand the cancer journey. The ready-to-go lesson plans and resources generate meaningful discussions about cancer, cancer treatment, and how to support those living with cancer.

• BioInteractive Classroom Resources - variety of tools to teach high schoolers cancer-related topics including activities, animations, tutorials, hands-on activities, interactive modules, and videos.

• CancerHappens® curriculum is an powering, risk-reduction program for K-12.

• Cancer Inheritance & Variation Traits - Who gets cancer and why? What can we do about it? OpenSciEd has developed some high school instructional materials units designed to do deep dives on cancer topics that follow the NGSS Performance Expectations (PEs).

• Cancer Education WonderKids Lesson Plans for K-5 students from the National Science Teaching Education 

• CancerEd - tools for teaching kids about cancer including hands-on activities, teacher guides, and supplementary materials.

• Genetics Learning Resources from the Jackson Laboratory - searchable lessons and activities including the JAX Cancer Genetics Research Experience

• HHMI Biointeractive - a source of a wide variety of resources including the hands-on lesson Classifying Cancer Genes and Examining Patient Data

• LabXchange by Harvard Online - an enormous compilation of excellent simulations, animations, and videos compiled from many other sources, recommended activities include:

  • Biotechnology Pathway

  • Cancer Genetics Research Experience Activity

  • Decoding Cancer Immunology: Hunting Hidden Tumors

  • Endocrine Signaling and Breast Cancer

  • Immunotherapy: How the Immune System Fights Cancer

• Life Science Learning Center - a source of a number of cancer-related lesson plans and materials as well as other health-related topics and virtual field trips

• Public Health: By Public Health Professionals for Public Health Professionals - excellent career resources for folks considering a public health career, including this article for students

• Science in the Classroom - work with your students to unpack articles published in Science with these annotated papers (including this one about prostate cancer)