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ESF SCIENCE
Summer Camps Investigating Ecology in Neighborhood and City Environments
ESF Science Corps

2009 Photos: Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs, Danforth School (SCSD), Expeditionary Learning School (SCSD)

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

The program entails ESF Science Corps mentors, collaborations with community partners, and experiential learning approaches, including a trip to the ESF campus. In 2008 ESF SCIENCE received a Mini-Grant from the Onondaga Lake Partnership to support and enhance activities through the Something Fishy About Onondaga Lake urban fisheries management program.

Since 2007 the ESF Science Corps has partnered with CNY Works and City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth programs to engage in a youth education and employment program entitled Stewards of Syracuse (SOS). SOS provides a six week ESF SCIENCE experience for 20 youth (14-15 yr olds) that focuses on environmental stewardship and science exploration.

In summer 2009 ESF Outreach partnered with the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs, the Syracuse City School District, and CNY Works to reach nearly 300 middle and high school students through ESF SCIENCE and Stewards of Syracuse. Our goal is to enrich student science learning using inquiry, experiential, and critical thinking approaches in the urban environment.

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

ESF SCIENCE News

• Read A Different Way to Learn from the Post Standard, 8/6/09
• Read Izaak Walton League Active with Lake Fishing Events from The Post-Standard, 1/22/09
• Watch SUNY-ESF S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Camp from The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com, 7/23/08
• Read Backyard Science from The Post-Standard, 7/23/08
• Read "Something Fishy" Brings Teens to Onondaga Lake
  from The Post-Standard, 6/5/08 [Photos from the event]
• 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