Inquire Instittue: A Program of Integrated Graduate Field Studies
July 2010

For five years, CERC has been offering an experiential field program for K-12 teachers in New York and the Dominican Republic. We have expanded to include graduate students from various disciplines to join teachers in exploring ecology and conservation while adapting a scientific approach to solving the complex environmental issues of the 21st Century.

Field work, presentations and workshops will cover the principles of ecology, biodiversity, human dependence on natural resources, ecosystem services, and scientific methods.

Participants in this summer course conduct a full scientific project while in the field, and then return to the classroom to work with CERC faculty to develop an ecologically-focused, collaborative or independent project. This may be an academic report, conference presentation, business plan, or inquiry-based curriculum unit.

Who May Attend?
Participants are welcome from graduate programs at all Universities including Schools of Education, Policy, Journalism, Business and Arts and Sciences. In-service teachers seeking professional development opportunities and credits encouraged to attend.


Location
Participants must choose between one of two field sites, either Black Rock Forest, New York (www.blackrockforest.org) or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (www.puntacana.org), although everyone will complete a portion of their coursework together at CERC on Columbia's Morningside campus.

 

Credits
Participants are eligible to receive six graduate credits from Columbia University.

For teachers, the credits meet New York State Certification requirements and can be applied to a master's degree or to the "30 points above" for position and salary increase.

Application

Download and Print Application (pdf)

For more information please contact:

cerc@columbia.edu
212-854 8179