summer science classes 2013 new brochure

8/14/2019 Summer Science Classes 2013 New Brochure

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S U M M E R S C I E N C E C L A S S E S 2 0 1 3

65ReservoirRoad

Cornwall,NY12518

Registrationb

eginsMarch8th!


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Authentic science experiences.taught by science professionals!

Black Rock Forest Consortiumwelcomes middle and high schoolstudents this summer for authentic, week-long learning experiencesin nature, working directly with scientists and artists. Our focus is onunderstanding nature through scientific observation and investigation,and our classes allow students to explore areas of interest without the

pressure of a grade. Classes are developed and taught by subject expertsand provide an opportunity to explore college and career possibilitiesin the natural sciences while having fun in locations ranging from BlackRock Forest, a private 4,000-acre preserve in Cornwall, to the Floridacoast and summits of the Adirondack Mountains.

About us:Black Rock Forest Consortium, founded in 1989, is a non-profitresearch, education and conservation organization with a membershipof 23 prominent universities, schools, and research institutions fromthe New York metro area. We are located in Cornwall, NY, just north ofWest Point. Our facilities include two award-winning green buildings,the Science & Education Center and the 60-bed Forest Lodge. For moreinformation, please visit www.blackrockforest.org.

About the Director:Dr. Jeffrey Kidder, Black Rock Forest ConsortiumsDirector of Education, is the director of the Summer Science Classprogram. Kidder holds a Ph.D. in zoology and an M.S. in wildlife sciencefrom Cornell University. He has designed education programs thatintegrate university resources with K-12 science at Cornell University,Rutgers University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Its easy to sign up.Just call 845-534-4517. Please be aware that space islimited, and classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

01From Bird Songs to Bee Nests:An Introduction to Animal Behavior in Black Rock Forest

Ansel Payne, Graduate Student in Compar ative Biology, Richard Gilder GraduateSchool, American Museum of Natural History

Summer is a busy time in the eastern deciduous forest.With nests to build, mates to attract, and predatorsto avoid, animals have to work hard to stay alive andprosper in an ever-changing environment. This classtakes an in-depth look at that work, and introducesstudents to the exciting study of animal behavior. Shortlectures will build a foundation for an evolutionaryunderstanding of why animals do what they do, whiledaily fieldwork will introduce students to moderntechniques in observation and experimental design.

Major examples will focus on bird and insect models, two very different kinds

of animals that have evolved similar strategies to survive and reproduce.Throughout, the Forest will serve as both a classroom and a living showcase ofanimal behavior.

Week 2: morning or afternoon, $225

02Everything Is Connected: No, Not Facebook Nature!

Yntze van der Hoek, Graduate Student inEcology, Evolution, and BehavioralBiology, City University of New York Graduate Center

Everything in nature is connected. Sometimes the connection is direct,sometimes through several steps, like friends of friends on Facebook. In this

Registration begins at 9 AM on Friday, March 8th.Call 845-534-4517 to reserve a space.

Middle school class, students entering 7ththrough 9thgradesHigh school class, students entering 10ththrough freshman year of collegeWeek 1: July 15 - 19, day classes only, middle and high school classes

Week 2: July 22 - 26, day and residential classes, high school only

Week 3: July 29 - August 2, day and residential classes, middle school only

Week 4:August 5-9, day and residential classes, high school only

Half-day class: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Full-day class: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Summer Science Class Schedule 2013

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class, we will learn all about forest ecologyand how everything is connected. What eatswhat (also known as food webs)? How dosquirrels build nests if they cannot makeholes in trees themselves? (Answer: they usewoodpecker holes - a relationship that iscalled a nest web). What is the role ofhumans in all of this? How do we impact

ecosystems and how can we go aboutconserving them? Students will be introduced to different forest types andtrees species found within the Black Rock Forest, the effects of a nimals andother disturbances (hurricanes) on the forest, and will learn how anunderstanding of all these topics can be used in forest management andconservation. Eventually, we will create a Muir web (type in Mannahatta Muirweb on YouTube!) of how everything we saw in Black Rock Forest is connectedand will use our freshly gained knowledge to design a real scientific study wherewe explore the effects of two particularly important animals in forestecosystems: deer and humans.

Weeks 1 and 3: morning or afternoon, $225Week 2: morning or afternoon, $225

03The Art of Scientific Observation - From Microecology toMonumental Sculpture

Hara Woltz, Artist, Architect, and Graduate Student in Ecology and EvolutionaryBiology, Columbia University and Victoria Lichtendorf, Director of Education andPublic Programs, Storm King Art Center

Throughout history, both scientists andartists have used field journals to note theirobservations of the natural world anddevelop their ideas. Such visual and writtennotation requires keen observational skills,and the practice of recording in journalsengages and develops lateral thinkingcapabilities. Weaving together science and

art, this class offers students a uniqueopportunity to combine field ecology and artistic practice at the Storm King ArtCenter. Through explorations of Storm Kings forests, fields, ponds, andsculptures, the class introduces students to observational and notationalmethods through creative journal ma king. Sketching, collaging, and writing areamong a variety of observational and recording methods with which studentswill engage. Daily investigations will include field analysis of plant and animallife, as well as sculpture and landscape architecture. Students will leave theclass having created their own experimental field journal.

A neighbor to Black Rock Forest, the Storm King Art Center is widely celebratedas one of the worlds leading sculpture parks. Storm Kings 500-acre landscape of

fields, hills, and woodland s provides the setting for a collection of more than 100carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time.

Week 3: morning or afternoon, $225Week 4: morning or afternoon, $225

04Flying High Ornithology Class

Danielle Bunch, Graduate Student in Environmental ConservationEducation, Steinhardt School of Education, New York University

The sights and sounds of songbirdsprovide an excellent introduction intothe world of ornithology. Students will experiencebirding in a variety of habitats, watch a live bird

program, learn about the importance and diversity ofbird species, participate in interactive conservationactivities, and learn the techniques of mist netting anddata collection. Students will keep scientific fieldjournals as t hey document t he birds they see and hearthroughout the week. All participants will leave with a nunderstanding of avian biology and knowledge of the

birds of Black Rock Forest. There will also be a human bird-calling contest, and anighttime prOWLing adventure! Binoculars, birding field guides, and journalswill be provided.

Week 1: morning or afternoon, $225 Week 2: morning or afternoon, $225

05Surveying Turtles:Contributing to a Long-Term Conservation ProjectDr. Antonia Florio, Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History

For the past 15 years, scientists at theAmerica n Museum of Natura l History h avetracked and recorded demographic data for theturtles in the Black Rock Forest. This class willallow students to contribute to this datasetthrough a capture-mark-recapture process.Students will learn about turtle identification,ecology, and behavior, as well as theimportance of collecting data for scientific

research. We will set up traps around Black Rock Forests reservoirs, and thenuse a taxonomic key to identify which species have been caught. Sex, age, shellmeasurements, location, and other information will be recorded at the time ofcapture. We will also spend some time learning field techniques useful forfinding other herps (such as salamanders) surrounding the ponds.


06Visualizing Entomology: Exploring Insects through FieldCollecting, Nature Journaling, Taxonomy, and BiologicalIllustrationCarly Tribull, Graduate Student in Comparative Biology, Richard Gilder GraduateSchool, American Museum of Natural History

Biology is closely tied to illustration and the ability to visually depict specimens,

ecological habitats, and collecting procedures. From sweeping, intricate muralsin natural history museums to exactingly drawn anatomical figures in biological

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textbooks, art is integral to our concept of nature. In this class, we will combineentomology (the study of insects) and illustration, both out in the forest andin the laboratory. Half of the class will be spent outdoors, learning aboutinsect collecting techniques while creating field illustrations and learning theimportance of good field journaling. The second half of the class will be spent inthe lab, learning insect taxonomy by identifying our collections, then using thesespecimens as our subjects for biological illustration. We will explore traditionalink, graphite, and color methods, allowing students to build a foundation of

skills and a working portfolio.Week 2: morning or afternoon, $225

07The Amazing World of Plant Adaptations: Investigating theMonstrous, Spiny, Beautiful, and Carnivorous

Rebecca Stern, Science Teacher and Recent Graduate in Science Education,Teachers College Graduate School of Education, Columbia University

The plant kingdom is filled with organisms that haveevolved incredible adaptations for surviva l. A mongmany of the plant secrets we will unlock are how spinycacti are able to survive blazing hot days and extremelycold nights, how the giant trees that live in Black Rock

Forest get through freezing winters, and how forestflowers attract different pollinators. In the lab we willdissect cactus plants, aquatic plants, and a variety ofbeautiful flowers to understand how specificadaptations help plants survive in a variety of

ecosystems. Our fieldwork will involve surveying the plants of Black Rock Forestand using our skills as botanical illustrators to create field guides of the plantswe discover.


08The World of Insects: Infinite Variety on a Common Theme

Dr. Julian Stark, Associate Professor of Biology, CUNY/Queensborough CommunityCollege and Research Associate in Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum ofNatural History

In this class, students will be introduced tothe fascinating world of insects. We will lookat how insects evolved, learn about theirmorphology and characteristics, survey thediversity of the different types, and look atthe ecological interactions amongstthemselves and with other organisms. Theclass balances time in the classroom withfield investigations and bench work to

analyze what was found in the field. Students will learn how to collect, preserve,and identify (to order) specimens, and will make a small (1020 specimens)collection to take home upon completing the class.

Weeks 2 and 4: morning or afternoon, $225Week 3: morning or afternoon, $225

09Find Your Creative Nature: Become an Artist and Scientist!

Marisa Miller, Graduate Student in Biology Education, Steinhardt School ofEducation, New York University

Nature journaling is a fun and creative way to observe and recordthe natural world. Charles Darwin and John James Audubon are justtwo of the many famous naturalists and scientists who have reliedon their nature journals to record their discoveries. Whether you

are already a budding artist, or would like to develop these skills,join us for sketching in natu re with d ifferent me dia, framing, a ndnarration. Both plants and animals will be studied. We will also useour journals to make scientific observations of the forest, a skill anyyoung scientist should have.

Weeks 1 and 3: morning or afternoon, $225

10 A Nautical Expedition Above and Below the Surface ofConstitution Marsh

Rebecca Croston, Graduate Student in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behaviorand Caitlin Field, Graduate Student in Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience,City University of New York Graduate Center; Rebecca Schultz, Education Manager,

Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and SanctuaryCome paddle and explore the Marsh! This class will provide an introduction tofield research methods in ecology of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystemsat Constitution Marsh. Beginning by looking above the waters surface (andin the surrounding forest), students will learn to identify birds and bugs usingfield guides and biological keys, observing and interpreting animal behaviorthrough the lens of evolution! We will learn forest sampling techniques and usethese to discover the contents of the terrestrial parts of the marsh. We will thenmove beneath the waters surface (as we float in kayaks) by sampling aquaticinvertebrates, fishes, and plants, and we will take our invertebrates into the labto learn techniques for quantifying their behavior. We will even examine whathappens when we manipulate their aquatic environment! In the final part of theclass, we will examine what happens atthe waters surface by looking at howanimals such as amphibians and insects above and below the surface take par t

in complex interactions, contributing to the fascinating and complex marshecosystem. This class will take place in field and laboratory settings, both onand off the water at Constitution Marsh.

This class is offered in collaboration with Constitution Marsh Audubon Center innearby Garrison, New York.

Week 1: full day, $450 plus $200 kayak ren tal



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(literally) in each beautiful habitat the forest has tooffer while studying all ofthe creatures we encounter, from salamanders tocarnivorous plants. Students will have the opportunityto collect and bake with wild edible fruits. Field ecologystudents will also make and take home their ownherbarium of tree leaves. Practical skills gained in thiscourse are: familiarity with the local flora, fauna and

scientific method, mastery of field survey methodsfor sampling birds and trees and turtles, data collection and analysis, habitatclassification, exposure to current and important topics in ecology, enhancedunderstanding of complex ecosystems, and planning/writing a scientific paperas a group collaboration.

Week 2: full day, $450 Week 3: full day, $450

14Wetland Wonders ClassDanielle Bunch, Graduate Student in Environmental Conservation Education,Steinhardt School of Education, New York University

Knee deep in the marsh, students will experience wetlands as they neverhave before! Students will use nets and buckets to discover the invertebrates,

fish, amphibians, and reptiles in Black Rock Forests streams, reservoirs, andmarshes and discuss habitat quality based on their findings. Students willmaintain a field journal documenting the interesting creatures they meet andplants they identify, and they will analyze the features of wetlands and the floraand fauna that inhabit them with a focus on adaptations. Kayaking, frog calling,and getting muddy will be acceptable activities during this course! Students willleave with a new appreciation for wetland habitats and the amazing servicesthey provide to humans and wildlife. A certified kayak instructor will providea safe kayak exploration of wetlands one day of the course. Field guides andjournals will be pro vided.

Week 3: morning or afternoon, $275 including kaya k rentalWeek 4: morning or afternoon, $275 including kaya k rental

15 Introduction to Soil Invertebrate Zoology in Black RockForest

Dr. Vladimir Ovtcharenko, Associate Professor, Hostos Community College

This course will be a general introduction to invertebrates inhabiting BlackRock Forest, for example crustaceans, mollusks, insects, spiders, ticks, andharvestmen. Students will study major groups of invertebrates in the fieldand in the laboratory, and we will consider main habitats in the forest, lifecycles, and diets. We will also study collecting techniques of insects and soilinvertebrates, sorting techniques of collected invertebrates from pitfall traps,preparation of a research collection of invertebrates, and documentation ofcollected materials. Time will be given to medically important invertebratessuch as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks and students will learn different methods of

protection against bloodsucking and para sitic invertebrates.Week 4: morning or afternoon, $225

11 Feeding a Forest: Effects of Soil, Water, and AtmosphericChemistry on Tree Growth

Dr. Glen Kowach, Associate Professor of Chemistry, The City College of New Yorkand Andrew Peterson, Chemistry Teacher

The right interaction of soil, water, and air is critical forplant growth. Perhaps, this statement seems obviousfor anyone who has tried gardening. However, while

nutrients in a garden can be replenished usingfertilizers, in forests they must come fromdecomposition of plant matter and weathering of rocks.In this class, we will introduce the factors in soil (forinstance, phosphorus content and particle size), water(pH and dissolved oxygen), and air (relative humidityand carbon dioxide content) that impact t ree growth

rates. Well observe the effect of these factors by identifying tree species thatdominate each environment (e.g. north- vs. south-facing slopes), and, throughcore sampling, find the climate history for these trees. By the end of the class,everyone will understand the complex interaction of each of these factors. Inaddition, some anomalies will be clearly seen in the tree record. One of ourfavorites is the very narrow tree rings from 1981 due to the gypsy mothoutbreak.


12Mysterious Mammals: Trapping and Tracking the Creaturesof the Night

Stephanie Seto, Science Educator, The Browning School, AMNH and Katie Pavlis,Black Rock Forest Consortium Research Associate and Educator

This course introduces students to the study ofmammals, some of the most charismatic creatures ofthe forest ecosystem. The course covers mammalianbiology, including anatomy and physiology, biodiversity,behavior, and ecology. Students will work with

preserved and replica skulls and bones to lear nmammalian anatomy and adaptations to specificenvironments, and will gain experience in trapping andhandling mammals while working with instructors onprojects involving mark-recapture and tracking

mammals. The course will include multiple trips into the field where studentswill acquire field mammalogy skills a nd become acquainted with the creaturesof Black Rock Forest.

Week 1: full day, $450

13Biodiversity Blitz: From Blueberries to Bluebirds

Dr. Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch, Senior Lecturer, Barnard College

This is a course in field ecology and survey methods, essentially a biodiversityblitz. We will hike and be in the field every day and get to submerge ourselves


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18Conservation Biology in Florida: Seahorse Key MarineLaboratory

Dr. Jennifer Seavey, Assistant Director, Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory, Universityof Florida

Seahorse Key is a small island in the Big Bend region ofFloridas Gulf Coast, one of the most undevelopedcoastlines in the United States. It is part of the Cedar

Keys National Wildlife Refuge, and the University ofFlorida operates a marine research laboratory on theisland. Central to the island and research station is anhistoric 1854 lighthouse, which will provide lodging forparticipants. The class will have conservation biologyand climate change themes and will combine daily fieldtrips and experiments with diverse researchers tounderstand the ecology of the region, with emphasis onhuman impacts and natural resources management.

Field trips will be on and off the water in a variety of habitats. Students willlearn the process of science through their own oyster-based research projects.In addition to science activities, there will be opportunities for wildlife watching,kayaking, swimming, beachcombing and learning about local history. Asouthern-style catered dinner is planned, complete with locally harvested

clams. And because the lighthouse and island are famously haunted, a localraconteur will bring chills to the warm Gulf nights with ghost stories drawnfrom the islands rich history.

This class is offered in collaboration with the University of Floridas SeahorseKey Marine Laboratory (http://www.biology.ufl.edu/shkml/) and is intended forstudents who are seriously interested in science.

June 23rd through 29th, $1250 inclu sive

Make it a camp! To stay at Black Rock Forest for a week while participating in theSummer Science Class program is an additional $450, inclusive of food, lodging,campfire cookouts, owl-calling and more with our camp counselors. Camp

students should arrive at Black Rock Forest at 4:00 P.M. the Sunday precedingtheir classfor orientation and welcome activities. For day students, a nutritiousbox lunch is available for an additional $10/day. Daily transportation fromGarrison Metro-North railroad station, Newburgh, and Cornwall will be provided.Please call 845-534-4517 to discuss these and other potential pickup sites.

Design: Jenkins & Page (NYC); Credits: Cover: Children, courtesy of the Browning School; Waterfall,

ferns and lake courtesy of Tom Doyle Photography; Class #3: View of sculptures by Mark di Suvero

in South Fields. Photo by J. L . Thompson; Class #10: Constitution Marsh courtesy of Greg Miller.

16CSE Crime Scene Ecosystem

Phillip Boda,Graduate Student in Science Education, Teachers College GraduateSchool of Education, Columbia University

Derived from the popular CSI Crime Scene Investigation television show,this interactive investigation will be focused on developing the habits of

mind that (forensic) scientists use to support explanations from collectedevidence. Students will come out of this weeklong venture with a

specific set of skills involved with scientific inquiry and scientific waysof knowing. This investigation is proposed to have both a laboratoryand field experience based on the forensic science methodology of

approaching the world and is centered on the following prompt: Greenand yellow amorphous substances have been found in the forest and the

park ranger is worried about the dangerous impact these substances mighthave on the ecosystem because she doesnt know where the substances came

from or how to effectively dispose of them. Your job is three-fold: (1) investigatethe scene and see if you can find clues where these substances have come from; (2)identify the substances to the greatest extent that they might be detrimental tothe ecosystem where they were found; and (3) sample in and around the site wherethese two substances were found to determine if they have had an influence onthose areas.Through this weeklong investigation, students will come out of theclass with a more fluent understanding of science as a method of researching

both everyday phenomena and site-specific circumstances.Week 4: morning or afternoon, $225

17 Adirondack Eco-Adventure

Taras Ferencevych, Teacher and Outdoor Educator, The Storm King School andDanielle Bunch, Graduate Student in Environmental Conservation Education,Steinhardt School of Education, New York University

Please join us on a weeklong adventure that will takeyou to the High Peaks and glacial lakes of theAdirondack Mountains. From our base camp (cabintents), you will have an opportunity to hike to thehighest point in New York state and to the origin of the

mighty Hudson River and to paddle a canoe on lakes andstreams surrounded by picturesque peaks and beautifulforests. Along the way we will learn about theadaptations of organisms to live in habitats rangingfrom miniature alpine gardens to highly acidic bogs.

Field activities will be included in the daily field trips to understand the ecologyof the region, with emphasis on human impacts and natural resourcesmanagement. We will consider the effects of acid precipitation on the ecosystemand the loss of top-level predators (wolves and mountain lions), and we willcompare the remaining old-growth forest with younger forest stands. Sturdyboots, a backpack and a desire to explore and experience adventure are essentialitems on the gear list. This is a truly unique opportunity to learn science whileexperiencing one of the oldest protected wilderness areas in the United States.

This class is offered in collaboration with The Storm King School.August 11th through 17th, $900 inclusi ve

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