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

Summer Positions Available for ESF Undegraduates: Information and Application Form

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 and Onondaga Lake in partnership with the Onondaga Lake Partnership (OLP).

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 2010 ESF Outreach will partner with the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs, and the Syracuse City School District to reach nearly 220 middle and high school students through ESF SCIENCE. 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 HSBC Bank