Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz

Head of Education, Plant Ecologist | PhD, Cornell University

Expertise
education

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Alan Berkowitz is a leader in defining and advancing ecological literacy. He develops innovative programs to help students and teachers understand and appreciate the complex interactions that govern the natural world and the ways that people depend on and influence ecosystems. Berkowitz also works to build a more diverse community of ecologists by engaging high school and undergraduate students from groups currently underrepresented in ecology in research experiences.

As the Education Team Leader for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, Berkowitz built a close collaboration with the Baltimore City Public Schools to bring cutting-edge research and teaching strategies into the classroom. Most recently, his Integrating Chemistry and Earth Science project developed curricula for high school chemistry students and teachers in the district. Schools in the Hudson Valley and across the nation have the opportunity to partner with Cary to implement freely available curriculum materials and participate in teacher training workshops. These collaborations bring together teachers, education researchers, and scientists — all working to improve ecological literacy.

Berkowitz serves on the Ecological Society of America’s Four-Dimensional Ecology Education Committee, which is advancing a framework for undergraduate ecology education. He also co-leads the Undergraduate Field Experiences Research Network that is building a community of scientists, educators, and education researchers dedicated to exploring and sharing best practices for inclusive and effective teaching and learning in field settings.

Berkowitz directed Cary Institute’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program and the Urban Water Innovation Network Undergraduate Research Program. The Baltimore and Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientist programs have provided high school students with early exposure to the joys and challenges of ecological field studies. Through these programs, he helped hundreds of students gain confidence and expertise in environmental science.

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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.
Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1998 and 1999
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 2002. “Undergraduate Research Reports -- 1998 and 1999”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Experimental removal of strong and weak predators: mice and chipmunks preying on songbird nests
Schmidt, Kenneth, J.R. Goheen, R. Naumann, Richard S. Ostfeld, E.M. Schauber, and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2001. “Experimental Removal of Strong and Weak Predators: Mice and Chipmunks Preying on Songbird Nests”. Ecology 82: 2927-36. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Schmidt_et_al_2001_Ecology_82_2927-2936.pdf.
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.
Teachers as inquiry learners
Hogan, K., and Alan R. Berkowitz. 2000. “Teachers As Inquiry Learners”. J. Sci. Teacher Ed. 11: 1-25.
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.
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.
Undergraduate Research Reports--1994 and 1995
Berkowitz, Alan R., Stuart E. G. Findlay, and Steward T. A. Pickett. 1997. “Undergraduate Research Reports--1994 and 1995”. Occasional Publication of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
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.
Workshop review: training teachers to teach ecology in the schoolyard
Berkowitz, Alan R. 1996. “Workshop Review: Training Teachers to Teach Ecology in the Schoolyard”. Newsl. Educ. Sect. Ecol. Soc. Am.
Biomass allocation and multiple resource limitation in tree seedlings
Canham, Charles D., Alan R. Berkowitz, Victoria R. Kelly, Gary M. Lovett, S. V. Ollinger, and Jaclyn L. Schnurr. 1996. “Biomass Allocation and Multiple Resource Limitation in Tree Seedlings”. Can. J. For. Res. 26: 1521-30. http://www.caryinstitute.org/reprints/Canham_et_al_1996_Can_J_For_Res_26_1521-1530.pdf.
Worm worlds. N. Am. Assoc. Environ. Educ
Berkowitz, Alan R., and Patrick J. Bohlen. 1996. “Worm Worlds. N. Am. Assoc. Environ. Educ”. VINE Neighborhood Ecol. Network, Washington, D. C.
Institutional reward systems for sustaining ecologists' activities in K-12 education
Schoenfeld, I., and Alan R. Berkowitz. 1996. “Institutional Reward Systems for Sustaining ecologists’ Activities in K-12 Education”. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 77: 168-69.