AEA Digital Resources

AEA Digital Resources is a virtual library that provides no-cost access to 16 high-quality, web-based resources for accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools. All of these resources are provided by Northwest Area Education Agency. Students and staff have access at home and at school. All the resources can be accessed by using your AEA Digital Resources username and password.

Contact your teacher-librarian, or Polly Meissner, for that information or for training.

The following databases are part of this collection:

  • AEA Digital Library - Digital curriculum resources from leading producers of PreK-12 content.
  • American History in Videos - Features 2,000 total hours of streaming videos that bring history alive for students.
  • BookFlix - An online literacy resource that pairs fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction books. Includes a read-aloud feature.
  • Britannica ImageQuest - Millions of royalty free images on one site and from 60 of the world's most respected image libraries.
  • Britannica School - Suite of products designed to support student research and classroom instruction.
  • Core Concepts Science - Videos, digital interactives and experiments.
  • CultureGrams - Perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world's people.
  • FreedomFLIX - Offers students a behind-the-scenes look at the people, places, and events that shaped our world.
  • GALE - Content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Ten different resources are designed for age-appropriate access.
  • Learn360 - Library of educational videos, video clips, images, and other teacher resources
  • MackinVIA - Complete eResource management system providing easy access to eBooks, audiobooks and educational databases.
  • PebbleGo - A research database specifically designed to meet the needs of K-3 learners.
  • PebbleGo Next - A comprehensive digital resource tailored to meet the needs and curriculum of grades 3-5 learners.
  • PowerKnowledge Science - Videos, lesson plans, interactive games, and more!
  • ScienceFLIX - Transforms the way students access science topics, acquire scientific knowledge, and build a lasting interest in science, technology, and engineering.
  • SIRS Issues Researcher - Exploration of the origins, perspectives, and essential questions under debate on over 300 pro/con social issues.
  • soundzabound - Licensed audio that can be used without copyright infringement in videos, podcasts, and other forms of multimedia.
  • TeachingBooks.net - Collections of author video interviews, book readings, teaching resources, and lesson plans to support student reading skills and interests
  • Teen Health and Wellness -  Nonjudgmental, straightforward information on today's teen health and wellness issues.
  • TrueFlix - Combines Scholastic True Books content with related videos, Web links, and text. Includes a read-aloud feature.

Additional Resources Provided by Northwest AEA

A collection of five interactive eBooks for elementary students. Cybersmarts is designed to teach students about staying safe online. These interactive eBooks can be projected on a whiteboard or viewed on individual student computers. Lesson plans, reproducibles and research prompts are included.

Northwest AEA purchased the I Want to Read program along with additional digital titles students can access in their MackinVia accounts. Right now the program is for elementary students in grades K-5, but any student can access and use the program. You will need to know your username and password for MackinVia to access the eBooks. The I Want to Read program, includes anytime reading on any device, a downloadable reading journal, and activity sheets that students, families or teachers can utilize for instruction or extension activities. 

A collection of five interactive eBooks for teens. Teen Cybersmarts was designed to give teens hands-on experience in safely navigating the online environment. These interactive eBooks can be projected on a whiteboard or viewed on individual student computers. Lesson plans, reproducibles and research prompts are included.

DefinedLearning provides teachers with the educational and assessment tools needed to implement high-quality PBL. Our hands-on projects are based on situations in STEM careers to help learners discover their passions and choose a pathway to a promising future. To access DefinedLearning, you can login with Google, Clever or ClassLink. If you have questions or need more information, contact Jordan Menning.

Educators' Resources:

Bridges  is a cooperative project between libraries in Iowa. Bridges is powered by OverDrive and provides access to eBooks and audiobooks. Bridges is only available to teachers served by Northwest AEA. To access resources from Bridges, teachers will need an access code. Contact Ann Derochie for that information.

Important contacts

Staff Directory
Image thumbnail for Polly Meissner

Polly Meissner

Teacher Librarian

712-222-6090 Email Polly Meissner
Image thumbnail for Ann Derochie

Ann Derochie

Circulation Coordinator

712-222-6065 Email Ann Derochie