Education
The United States has fallen precipitously behind other countries in educating enough scientists, engineers and technologically trained workers to replace those now approaching retirement. To attract more young minds to science and technology, our nation must intensify efforts to teach students the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills necessary to work in advanced scientific and technological fields. We also must provide teachers with more resources, professional development and innovative curricula through which to engage students and better teach these skills.
RIVER UNIVERSITY 2012
Enrollment is now open for River University, a new collaboration between Clarkson University, Beacon Institute and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. This exciting new summer program offers three credits each in ecology, environmental engineering and environmental policy on the Hudson River at Denning's Point in Beacon, summer of 2012. Twenty-five students will be selected for this intensive, four-week interdisciplinary program, which will run from July 8 through August 3, 2012.
Students will earn nine Clarkson University undergraduate credits in three courses taught by internationally recognized Hudson River environmentalist John Cronin and respected Clarkson University faculty Tom Langen, Ph.D. and Shane Rogers, Ph.D.
River University also features five days of experiential learning on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, plus field trips and guest lecturers. Classroom studies will take place at Beacon Institute's Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE).
River University is open to all undergraduate students with an interest in the environment. Meals and ground transportation will be provided for all students. Nearby modern campus dormitory housing is available for residential students, as well as a commuter option for those who live close to Beacon.
For more information about the coursework, tuition, housing and an online application, visit www.RiverUniversity.com.
SENSE IT
Beacon Institute is heeding the call to action with an innovative educational approach that is focused both on supporting teachers and students in the development of STEM content knowledge and on increasing understanding of and respect for riverine and estuarine ecosystems. The goal is to help students gain an appreciation for the Hudson River and concurrently develop crucial 21st century workforce skills using the
River and Estuary Observatory Network (REON) and Hudson River as a “laboratory.”
SENSE IT (Student Enabled Network of Sensors for the Environment using Innovative Technology) is the Institute’s first comprehensive project toward this goal and is unique in the field of environmental education. It offers K-12 teachers the tools to meet state education standards for competencies in math and science through hands-on activities applied in a local environmental context.
Expansion
In an exciting affirmation of the innovation and quality of the pilot curriculum and professional development workshops conducted at Tech Valley High School in 2008 and 2009, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Beacon Institute and Clarkson University $1.4
million for SENSE IT expansion and research.
In 2009, the NSF research initiative launched in New York's Hudson Valley, Capital District and
St. Lawrence/Potsdam regions. During the first year of the SENSE IT expansion, 41 high school
teachers from 31 school districts in New York State participated in the program, and received
intensive professional development on the interdisciplinary curriculum modules to implement
SENSE IT in their schools.
Additional support for SENSE IT expansion was received from the New York State Senate, specifically Senator Stephen M. Saland (41st Senate District); an Innovation Generation grant from Motorola Foundation; the Louis Greenspan Charitable Trust; the Bender Scientific Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region; and Verizon Foundation.
The results from this NSF research initiative and the Institute’s new strategic alliance with Clarkson University will inform future SENSE IT expansion to New York State teachers and students.
The Environmental Consortium of Hudson Valley Colleges and Universities
Developed by Beacon Institute and Pace University, the Environmental Consortium includes more than 40 institutions of higher learning. Directed by Michelle Land of Pace University, the Consortium is dedicated to transforming the Hudson Valley into an extended laboratory and classroom for policy analysis, multi-institutional field programs and cooperative regional studies.
