ESF S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Summer Camps Investigating Ecology
in Neighborhood and City Environments
ESF Science Corps

The ESF SCIENCE* summer camp program achieves several of the targets outlined by the College’s Vision 2020: A Better World Through Environmental Discovery. ESF SCIENCE exposes Syracuse middle school students (upcoming fall 7th and 8th graders) to science and environmental education. Through summer environmental camps, students are involved in programs that emphasize urban ecology and urban ecosystems that are relevant to their lives, a critical key for cultivating and sustaining interest in science during the middle school years and beyond. The environmental summer camp, situated in local green spaces such as Elmwood Park and the Onondaga Creek corridor, makes students more aware of urban environmental issues and motivates students to become involved in determining the outcomes of environmental problem solving. In addition, students are involved in service learning projects that promote environmental stewardship and environmental awareness, as students take pride in maintaining and improving the environment for their communities.

The program entails ESF Science Corps mentors, collaborations with community partners, and experiential learning approaches, including a trip to ESF’s main campus.

In 2007, the ESF Science Corps partnered with CNY Works and Syracuse City Parks & Recreation to engage in a youth education & employment program entitled Stewards of Syracuse (SOS). SOS provides a four-week ESF SCIENCE experience for about 25 youth (14-15 yr olds) that focuses on environmental stewardship and science exploration in Syracuse City Parks.

* This program is made possible, in part, with funding made available by Congressman James Walsh through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

ESF S.C.I.E.N.C.E. News

• SUNY ESF Program Teaches Kids About Science and Nature
  on radio 570WSYR, 8/8/07
• ESF Science Corps and Girls Inc. of CNY Research Pollution at Elmwood Park
• News Channel 9 story on ESF SCIENCE at Dr. Weeks School with Catholic Charities
• Read Science Lessons
  from The Post-Standard, 8/8/07
• Read Turning over a Wasteland
  from The Post-Standard, 7/10/07
• Read Expanding the Environment
  from The Post-Standard, 8/6/06