Demonstrating a deep commitment to the field of science education, UNI’s Science Education Resource Center has touched the lives of countless students and teachers across Iowa since it was founded in 1978.

Now, the center will continue on its mission under a new name: Yager Science Education Resources and Outreach. 

Dr. Robert Yager graduated from UNI (then the Iowa State Teacher’s College) in 1950, subsequently earning his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Iowa. Over the course of his 50-year career, Dr. Yager became one of the country's most distinguished and visionary science education professors. 

Prior to his death in 2019, Dr. Yager had a decades long history of financial support to UNI. In 2022, the Yager family awarded UNI a generous gift of $100,000 to provide materials and programmatic support for the on-campus science education resource center located in McCollum Science Hall. In recognition of Dr. Yager’s past generosity and the Yager family’s continued commitment to UNI Science Education, the university has renamed the center in his memory.

“Thanks to the generous support of the Yager family, UNI Science Education will be able to provide the latest high-quality instructional materials and supporting professional development for future and existing science teachers to effectively engage their students in science,” said Larry Escalada, director of the UNI Science Education program.

Yager Science Education Resources and Outreach will continue to provide highly sought-after curricular tools and support for UNI students/faculty and science teachers/schools within Central Rivers Area Educational Agency (AEA) with whom we have a collaborative agreement to provide resources with delivery provided by the AEA.    

The family also made an additional commitment of $50,000 to continue the UNI Yager Exemplary Teaching Recognition Award, which Dr. Yager launched in 2007. This award recognizes UNI graduates who’ve followed Dr. Yager’s example of exemplary teaching in K-12 classrooms. 

The Yager family’s enduring support for science education at UNI continues Dr. Yager’s legacy, preparing the next generation of students for the challenges of tomorrow.