General News: New Science Program at Black Rock

Black Rock Forest Consortium Announces New Summer Science Class Program

Students will be immersed in nature with scientists from Black Rock Forest Consortium’s member institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, Barnard College, City University of New York, Columbia University, and New York University. Three classes include an art component, one with daily visits to Storm King Art Center.

“Learning in the sciences is most fun when it’s authentic,” said Dr. Jeff Kidder, a zoologist and the Director of Education at Black Rock Forest Consortium. “We’re delighted to offer this program to families in our region, because it connects kids with great instructors who are subject experts in a variety of fields, from comparative biology and entomology to mammalogy and behavioral neuroscience.” The program is open to any middle or high school student interested in the environment, conservation, or the natural sciences. 

“We pack a lot of fun in, too,” Kidder said. “Depending on the classes they choose, kids can kayak in Constitution Marsh, go owl‐calling at night, collect and bake with wild berries, or climb the High Peaks of the Adirondacks.” 

Weekly classes and camps run much of the summer: 

• Jun. 23 ‐ 29 Conservation Biology on Seahorse Key, Gulf Coast, FL 

• Jul. 15 ‐ 19 Day Classes for grades 7‐12 

• Jul. 22 ‐ 26 Camp and Day Classes for 10‐12th grades 

• Jul. 29 ‐ Aug. 2 Camp and Day Classes for 7‐9th grades 

• Aug. 5 ‐ 9 Camp and Day Classes for 10th – 12th grades 

• Aug. 11 ‐ 17 Adirondacks Eco‐Adventure for 10‐12th grades 

Eighteen courses are offered covering a wide variety of topics including:

• Conservation Biology in Florida: Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory
• Flying High Ornithology Class
• Nautical Expedition Above and Below the Surface of Constitution Marsh
• Mysterious Mammals: Trapping and Tracking the Creatures of the Night
• Biodiversity Blitz: From Blueberries to Bluebirds
• CSE – Crime Scene Ecosystem
• Adirondack Eco-Adventure

For example:  “Crime Scene Ecosystem” students pursue the case of a (fictional) park ranger who has found “green and yellow amorphous substances” in the forest and is trying to assess their impact on the ecosystem, while “Visualizing Entomology” students will collect, preserve and draw insect specimens to learn the art of biological illustration.

“High School students arrive at the Forest with a fierce enthusiasm to get out into the field and see, touch and investigate just about everything that crawls, swims or flies by our path,” said Dr. Terryanne Maenza‐Gmelch, a Barnard College paleoecologist who has taught at Black Rock Forest for more than a decade. Dr. Maenza‐Gmelch is offering a course called “Biodiversity Blitz: From Blueberries to Bluebirds” at the Forest this summer. 

The Consortium is delighted to offer a partnership with Storm King Art Center, one of the world’s leading sculpture parks, as part of the Summer Science Class Program for 2013. “Storm King Art Center is thrilled to collaborate with Black Rock Forest Consortium on a summer class combining science and art. Taking place at Storm King, “The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture” addresses the need for fostering creativity and critical thinking skills in middle and high school students” said Victoria Lichtendorf, the Director of Education and Public Programs at Storm King Art Center. 

TO REGISTER FOR SUMMER SCIENCES CLASSES 

Interested families can download the Summer Science Class brochure for complete course listings, and the phone number for registration, at www.blackrockforest.org. or call 845-534-4517 for registration. Classes are filled on a first‐come, first‐served basis so registration by May 25 is recommended.

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