2018 ESA Annual Meeting (August 5 -- 10)

SYMP 3 - The Role of Ecosystem Research Centers in Experiential Learning: A Diversity of Opportunities

Monday, August 6, 2018: 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
River Bend 1, New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center
Organizer:
Olin E. Rhodes Jr.
Co-organizers:
Lucinda B. Johnson , Todd A. Crowl , John A. Arnone III , Amelia K. Ward , Robert Crabtree , Ann L Rypstra and Cara Love
Moderator:
Olin E. Rhodes Jr.
The theme of this symposium is experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the field of ecosystem science. The purpose of this symposium is to provide professionals and students with a sample of the diversity and depth of ecosystem-focused experiential learning opportunities that remain available to students in the U.S. Symposium speakers have been selected from the pool of over 30 member organizations within the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers in the US and specifically represent different types of experiential learning platforms encompassing offerings from academic centers and institutes, public-private partnerships, and non-governmental organizations. Speakers from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center, the Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies, the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and the Natural Resources Research Institute at University of Minnesota will participate in this symposium. Each speaker will present an overview of the focus and breadth of disciplinary expertise of the ecosystem research center they represent followed by an in depth coverage of the experiential learning programs that they provide a part of their educational missions. Speakers will be asked to address the breadth and scope of the opportunities for experiential learning that they provide, metrics of success for their educational programs, and the challenges of running successful experiential learning programs for ecosystem studies.
1:30 PM
Engaging more diverse student populations in environmental problem solving: Transforming learning at the University of Michigan Biological Station
Knute Nadelhoffer, University of Michigan; Stephanie L. Shaulskiy, University of Michigan; Alicia Farmer, University of Michigan; Karie A. Slavik, University of Michigan
2:00 PM
A living laboratory in a working forest: Privately funded research for the public good
Kier D. Klepzig, Joseph W Jones Ecological Research Center
2:30 PM
Experiential learning in subtropical ecology at the urban-wildland interface
Evelyn Gaiser, Florida International University; Todd A. Crowl, Florida International University; Rita Teutonico, Florida International University; John Kominoski, Florida International University; Brad Schonhoff, Florida International University; Danielle Ogurcak, Florida International University; Nicholas Oehm, Florida International University
3:00 PM
3:10 PM
Multiple dimensions of experiential learning at El Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico
Jess Zimmerman, University of Puerto Rico; Noelia Báez-Rodríguez, University of Puerto Rico; Steven McGee, The Learning Partnership; Alonso Ramirez, North Carolina State University; Eda Meléndez, University of Puerto Rico; William H. McDowell, University of New Hampshire
3:40 PM
The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation: An experiment in immersive learning
Ricardo Stanoss, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
4:10 PM
Translational ecology: Engaging diverse stakeholders in ecological science
Joshua R. Ginsberg, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Alan Berkowitz, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Lori Quillen, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
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