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.

Teachers as inquiry learners
Hogan, K., and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2000. “Teachers As Inquiry Learners”. J. Sci. Teacher Ed. 11: 1-25.
Authentic assessment in the informal setting: how it can work for you
Moorcroft, T., K.H. Desmarais, K. Hogan, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2000. “Authentic Assessment in the Informal Setting: How It Can Work for You”. J. Environ. Ed. 31: 20-24.
Cities are ecosystems!: new trend to study urban areas
Breslav, M. A., Alan R. Berkowitz, C.H. Nilon, and Karen S. Hollweg. 2000. “Cities Are ecosystems!: New Trend to Study Urban Areas”. Ecol. Econ. 32: 337-39.
Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1996 and 1997
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1999. “Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1996 and 1997”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education
Nilon, C.H., Alan R. Berkowitz, and Karen S. Hollweg. 1999. “Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education”. Urban Ecosyst. 3: 3-4.
The biology department of the future
Berkowitz, Alan R., C.A. Brewer, and D. Ebert-May. 1998. “The Biology Department of the Future”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 79: 161-63.
Defining environmental literacy: a call for action
Berkowitz, Alan R., M. Archie, and D. Simmons. 1997. “Defining Environmental Literacy: A Call for Action”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 78: 170-72.
A simple framework for considering the benefits of student scientist partnerships
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1997. “A Simple Framework for Considering the Benefits of Student Scientist Partnerships”. D. Barstow, R. E. Tinker, and S. J. Doubler (eds.). Nat. Conf. Stud. Sci. Partnerships [conference Report]. TERC and the Concord Consortium, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Some themes appropriate for schoolyard ecology and other hands-on ecology education
Feinsinger, Peter, A. Grajal, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 1997. “Some Themes Appropriate for Schoolyard Ecology and Other Hands-on Ecology Education”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 78: 144-46.
Integration of species and ecosystem approaches to conservation
Tartowski, S.L., E.B. Allen, N.E. Barrett, Alan R. Berkowitz, R.K. Colwell, Peter M. Groffman, J. Harte, et al. 1997. “Integration of Species and Ecosystem Approaches to Conservation”. In S. T. A. Pickett, R. S. Ostfeld, M. Shachak, and G. E. Likens (eds.). The Ecological Basis of Conservation: Heterogeneity, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity, 187-92. Chapman & Hall, Inc., New York.