Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise
education

845 677-7600 x311

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Alan Berkowitz is a leader in advancing ecosystem literacy. His efforts include developing teaching materials, facilitating undergraduate research opportunities, and training educators. His projects aim to enhance public understanding of the complex interactions that govern the natural world and the ways that people influence ecosystems.

Berkowitz directs Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Over 30 years running, the program allows students to conduct hands-on ecological research under the advisement of a scientist mentor. The program, which is committed to supporting diversity, has launched nearly 75% of its alums into careers in the sciences. Berkowitz also directs the Urban Water Innovation Network (UWIN) Undergraduate Research Program.

Schools across the nation have the opportunity to partner with Cary Institute to implement freely available curriculum materials and participate in cutting-edge teacher training workshops. These collaborations bring together teachers, education researchers, and scientists – all working to improve ecological science literacy.

Berkowitz is the Education Team Leader for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), a Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site directed by Cary Institute. In this role, Berkowitz works with teachers in Baltimore City Public Schools to bring BES research into the classroom.

A Call for Ethics Literacy in Environmental Education
Poole, Alexandria K., Eugene C. Hargrove, Philip Day, William Forbes, Alan R. Berkowitz, Peter Feinsinger, and Ricardo Rozzi. 2013. “A Call for Ethics Literacy in Environmental Education”. In Linking Ecology and Ethics for a Changing World, 349-71. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7470-410.1007/978-94-007-7470-4_28.
Environmental literacy, ecological literacy, ecoliteracy: What do we mean and how did we get here?
McBride, B. B., C.A. Brewer, Alan R. Berkowitz, and W. T. Borrie. 2013. “Environmental Literacy, Ecological Literacy, Ecoliteracy: What Do We Mean and How Did We Get Here?”. Ecosphere 4 (5): art67. doi:10.1890/ES13-00075.1.
Exploring biodiversity's big ideas in your school yard
Harris, Cornelia, Alan R. Berkowitz, Jennifer Doherty, and Laurel Hartley. 2013. “Exploring biodiversity’s Big Ideas in Your School Yard”. Science Scope 36 (8). National Science Teachers Association: 20-27. http://learningcenter.nsta.org/files/ss1308_20.pdf.
Rising to the “broader impacts” challenge
Jordan, Rebecca C., Wesley R. Brooks, Steven A. Gray, Jacqueline R. DeLisi, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2013. “Rising to the ‘broader impacts’ Challenge”. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 11 (5): 234-35. doi:10.1890/13.WB.013.
Beyond Eco-Footprints: Using the STEM Process to Guide School Greening
Harris, Cornelia, Alan R. Berkowitz, K. Notin, and M.A. McLean. 2013. “Beyond Eco-Footprints: Using the STEM Process to Guide School Greening”. Green Teacher. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/beyond_eco_footprints_2013.pdf.
Data Explorations in Ecology: Salt Pollution as a Case Study for Teaching Data Literacy
Harris, Cornelia, Alan R. Berkowitz, and Angelita Alvarado. 2012. “Data Explorations in Ecology: Salt Pollution As a Case Study for Teaching Data Literacy”. The American Biology Teacher 74 (7): 479-84. doi:10.1525/abt.2012.74.7.9.
The Role of Interface Organizations in Science Communication and Understanding
Osmond, D., N. Nadkarni, Charles T. Driscoll, E. Andrews, Arthur J. Gold, Broussard Allred, Alan R. Berkowitz, et al. 2010. “The Role of Interface Organizations in Science Communication and Understanding”. Front. Ecol. Environ. 8: 306-13.
Ecosystem Literacy: Using the Classroom and Schoolyard to Teach About the Ecosystems That Support Life
Harris, Cornelia, K. Notin, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2009. “Ecosystem Literacy: Using the Classroom and Schoolyard to Teach About the Ecosystems That Support Life”. The Science Teachers Bulletin, Science Teachers of New York State.
Trail Blazers in Transforming the Culture of Ecology
Mourad, T., R. Rino, Alan R. Berkowitz, A. Finley, and J. Ramos. 2009. “Trail Blazers in Transforming the Culture of Ecology”. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 90: 103-8.
What should every citizen know about ecology?
Jordan, Rebecca C., F. Singer, J. Vaughan, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2009. “What Should Every Citizen Know about Ecology?”. Front. Ecol. Environ.. doi:10.1890/070113.
Educating about infectious disease ecology
Brewer, C.A., Alan R. Berkowitz, P.A. Conrad, J. Porter, and M. Waterman. 2008. “Educating about Infectious Disease Ecology”. In R. S. Ostfeld, F. Keesing, and V. Eviner (eds.). Infectious Disease Ecology: Effects of Ecosystems on Disease and of Disease on Ecosystems, 448-68. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Understanding why minority students pursue ecology careers
Jurgensen-Armstrong, M., Alan R. Berkowitz, L. Dyer, and J. Taylor. 2007. “Understanding Why Minority Students Pursue Ecology Careers”. Front. Ecol. Environ. 5: 415-20.
A framework for integrating ecological literacy, civics literacy and environmental citizenship in environmental education.
Berkowitz, Alan R., M.E. Ford, and C.A. Brewer. 2005. “A Framework for Integrating Ecological Literacy, Civics Literacy and Environmental Citizenship in Environmental Education”. In E. A. Johnson, and M. J. Mappin (eds.). Environmental Education and Advocacy: Changing Perspectives of Ecology and Education, 227-66. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
The Importance of Understanding Urban Ecosystems – Themes
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “The Importance of Understanding Urban Ecosystems – Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz., C. H. Nilon and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 15-17. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Introduction: Ecosystem understanding is a key to understanding cities.
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Introduction: Ecosystem Understanding Is a Key to Understanding Cities”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 1-13. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
The role of modeling in undergraduate education
Ewing, Holly A., K. Hogan, Felicia Keesing, H. Bugmann, Alan R. Berkowitz, L. Gross, J. Oris, and J. Wright. 2003. “The Role of Modeling in Undergraduate Education”. In C. D. Canham, J. J. Cole, and W. K. Lauenroth (eds.). Models in Ecosystem Science, 413-27. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education [Preface]
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education [Preface]”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, vii-x. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Urban ecosystem education in the coming decade: What is possible and how might we get there?
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Urban Ecosystem Education in the Coming Decade: What Is Possible and How Might We Get There?”. In A. R. Berkowitz., C. H. Nilon and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 476-501. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Visions for the future of urban ecosystem education: Themes
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2003. “Visions for the Future of Urban Ecosystem Education: Themes”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 399-400. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
Why is understanding urban ecosystems an important frontier for education and educators?
Hollweg, Karen S., C.H. Pea, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2003. “Why Is Understanding Urban Ecosystems an Important Frontier for Education and Educators?”. In A. R. Berkowitz, C. H. Nilon, and K. S. Hollweg (eds.). Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education, 19-38. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

Projects