New York City is home to numerous museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, and beautiful urban parks – with woodlands, marshes, lakes, and ponds – and nearly 27,000 acres of natural coastal habitat. This wealth of resources provides for and supports science learning for children.
Science Safaris in New York City is both a guide to teachers, parents and guardians, and a field journal that children can use to record, organize, and reflect on their learning in these places.
Each chapter has descriptions of the various informal science institutions and places, and corresponding activities designed to foster the development of children’s science process and content skills. Science Safaris will allow schools and families to experience the excitement of science learning in this city.
Eleanor
Miele
Eleanor Miele is Associate Professor and Program Head of Childhood Science Education at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. She received her doctorate in biology from Columbia University. She has collaborated with educators at the American Museum of Natural History, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the National Parks of New York Harbor, the New York Hall of Science and other informal science institutions to educate teachers of science. A lifelong resident of New York City, she regularly visits city parks, museums and beaches with her two children and continues to enjoy walks at these special places with her husband.
Jennifer
Adams
Jennifer D. Adams is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at Brooklyn College. Prior to this she was a certified high school biology and environmental science teacher and later an educator at the American Museum of Natural History where she helped to design and manage the acclaimed Urban Advantage informal science education for middle school teachers program. She also led experiential education experiences for K-12 students and teachers with New York City Outward Bound. Dr. Adams researches informal science education with a particular focus on place-based education and learning in museums. She received her doctorate in Urban Education at The Graduate Center-CUNY. She fondly remembers visits to the city’s beaches, zoos, museums, parks and gardens as a child with her family and enjoys sharing those experiences with her students and fellow educators.
