Current Research
Defining Ecological Literacy.
Ecosystem is one of the most enduring and powerful concepts in ecology. How can people become adept at thinking about and understanding ecosystems? I have been collaborating with scientists and educators to more clearly define these and related goals for ecology education, and then to develop metrics for assessing literacy among various groups (especially, teachers and K-16 students). We also are exploring the role ecological literacy plays in environmental citizenship - people's ability to act on their values and interests in the environment using knowledge and skills from science.
Understanding Ecology Teaching & Learning.
How do people develop ecological literacy? What do educational programs need to do in order to build useful understanding of ecosystems? What are the best ways to teach ecology for diverse audiences? How can we infuse the very best of ecological science and education into the training of educators? We are approaching these questions through innovative programming combined with careful assessment.
Explaining & Fostering Interest in Ecology.
The vitality of the field of ecology depends upon a diverse and well-trained workforce. The ways we frame problems, seek solutions and apply knowledge depend upon having a scientific community with diverse strengths, perspectives, thinking styles, backgrounds, interests and concerns. Yet the current ecology workforce is far more homogeneous than the general population of the U.S. What sparks an interest in ecology in young people, and what experiences and influences along their educational paths nurture or extinguish these flames?
The Ecology of Schoolyards and Urban Ecosystems.
My ecological research interests have concerned the ecology and management of plant communities in rights-of-way, agroecosystems, schoolyards and urban ecosystems.
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Selected Publications
- Jordan, R., F. Singer, J. Vaughan and A. Berkowitz. 2009. What should every citizen know about ecology? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
- Brewer, C.A., A.R. Berkowitz, P.A. Conrad, J. Porter, and M. Waterman. 2008. Educating about infectious disease ecology. Pages 448-466 in Ostfeld, R.S, F. Keesing and V.T. Eviner, editors. Infectious Disease Ecology: Effects of Ecosystems on Disease and of Disease on Ecosystems. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Jurgensen-Armstrong, M., A.R. Berkowitz, J. Taylor, and L. Dyer. 2007. Understanding why minority students pursue ecology careers. Frontiers in Ecology and Environment 5:415-420.
- Berkowitz, A.R., M.E. Ford and C.A. Brewer. 2005. A framework for integrating ecological literacy, civics literacy and environmental citizenship in environmental education. Pages 227-266 In: Johnson, E.A. and M.J. Mappin (Editors). Environmental Education and Advocacy: Changing Perspectives of Ecology and Education. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Berkowitz, A.R., C.H. Nilon and K.S. Hollweg. Editors. 2003. Understanding Urban Ecosystems: A New Frontier for Science and Education. Springer-Verlag, Inc., New York.
- Moorcroft, T.A., K.H. Desmarais, K. Hogan and A.R. Berkowitz. 2000. Authentic assessment in the informal setting: how it can work for you. Journal of Environmental Education. 31:20-24.
- Hogan, K. and A.R. Berkowitz. 2000. Teachers as inquiry learners. Journal of Science Teacher Education 11(1): 1-25.
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Schmidt, K.A., J.R. Goheen, R. Naumann, R.S. Ostfeld, E.M. Schauber, and A.R. Berkowitz. 2001. Experimental removal of strong and weak predators: mice and chipmunks preying on songbird nests. Ecology. 82:2927-2936.
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