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Developing an Urban-focused Environmental Science curriculum

This project aims to develop a modern, relevant, and interdisciplinary environmental science curriculum with a focus on urban environments. The goal is to provide students with high-tech skills and experiential learning opportunities while addressing long-term program sustainability and recruitment challenges. The curriculum will be developed in partnership with organizations such as Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, USDA’s NRCS, and the Liberty Science Center.

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Developing an Urban-focused Environmental Science curriculum

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  1. Developing an Urban-focused Environmental Science curriculum Wm. W. Montgomery New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ wmontgomery@njcu.edu

  2. Background - University • Primarily undergraduate; MS programs in Business, Nursing, Education, etc. • Minority Institution • Hispanic-Serving Institution (> 30% Hisp) • Very diverse: • 40% Caucasian • 30% Hispanic • 20% African-American

  3. Background - University • Vision 2010 Strategic Plan:

  4. Background - University • Vision 2010 Strategic Plan

  5. Background (Department) • Departmental concerns about: • Long-term program sustainability / recruitment • Learning outcomes / technical expertise of graduating majors • Keeping degree tracks modern, relevant • Dept growing, Faculty shrinking: Do more with less (and don’t burn out….) Against this backdrop: a grant-writing opportunity exclusive to HSIs…..to USDA!

  6. USDA Proposal Background & Partners • Why USDA? • Major goal: diversify / improve food/ag scientific professional workforce • Strategic Goal #6: Protect & enhance Nation’s natural resource base and environment • Supported areas include curriculum improvement • MUST partner; we get lucky: • Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ; Exec Director knows: • USDA’s NRCS • NJ Dept of Environmental Protection • Liberty Science Center (yes, that Liberty)

  7. Major Elements of NJCU Proposal to USDA • Niche…very few “urban” programs in NE U.S. • Relevant, “close to home” for students • Intro. Prins of Environmental Science course • (Satisfies Gen. Studies Nat Sci: BIG DRAW) • Interdisciplinary, experiential courses: • Urban Field Ecology (Bio) • Field Methods in Urban Environment (Geos) • Urban Environmental Chemistry (Chem) • Outcomes: modern knowledge & high-tech skills • Indep rsch & internships through partners • Anticipate growth in both major & minor count • Sustainable – Dept will survive, grow, prosper

  8. What Partners Bring… • “Real world” perspective & knowledge of workplace needs / demands • Fresh ideas & focii…widen that tunnel vision! • “urban forests” • “heat islands” • new Hudson County Soils Map • GIS / GPS ubiquitously…sample, map, model • Assist with curriculum development • Guest lectures, guest field trip leaders, research / project mentors • Wide array of student rsch / prjct opportunities at NRCS, CWF, Liberty State Park, NJDEP

  9. Summary • We’ll do the curriculum anyway…. • But how cool to work with all these diverse, outstanding partners • Keep learning that lesson over and over again, Bill….. • Don’t work in a vacuum!! • We’ll keep you posted….this curriculum should be adaptable nationwide, especially at urban minority institutions • Thanks for your patience…..Questions?

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