Past Summer Programs - Nature's Treasure Hunt

Exploring local ecosystems through art & science

This one week summer program uses observational and laboratory techniques to foster ecological awareness and literacy in students. In this program, students spend mornings exploring their local environment—from their backyards to state parks—and afternoons discovering how to represent that experience through art and science activities. Campus based activities include working within a laboratory environment and learning how investigations occur in a lab. Learning themes including ecosystem and their health, biodiversity, visualizing nature, and the place of humans in nature. These themes with be accompanied by hands-on activities like scavenger hunting and photography, teaching students spatial awareness, experimentation, and other essential environmental and visual art skills. Students will develop an appreciation for their natural resources by visiting parks and museums in the local community. Students will be able to meet professionals who study the environment.

Faculty Profile: Ron Eglash, Associate Professor, Department of Science Technology and Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Learning Themes
1. Observing Nature
2. Identifying Macro Worlds
3. identifying Micro Worlds
4. Representations of Local Nature
5. Nature, Self and Food

Sample Day Schedule:
9:00-10:00: Check-in at RPI, Snack, travel to nature or museum site
10:00-12:00: On-site activity with staff of visited organization
12:00-1:30: Lunch, return to RPI
1:30-3:00: Visualization activity at RPI (computer or biology lab)
3:00-3:45: Presentations from students and instructors
3:45-4:00: Prepare for departure

Last modified: October 13, 2008