Join the Cornell University Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies and the South Asia Center at Syracuse University for the 2024 International Studies Summer Institute (ISSI)! This year, we will explore plant and animal migration around the world and at home. ISSI is a professional development workshop for practicing and pre-service K–12 educators. 

Participants will explore the patterns and causes of plant and animal migration in a global context, as well as how they affect and are affected by human society. Scholars from Cornell University and Syracuse University will share their research and expertise from across different regions of the world, including Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.    

Object-based learning will be a specific focus. Sessions will include an introduction to the Einaudi Center’s culture kits and how they can support hands-on learning about plant and animal migration in different countries. Culture kits are a collection of cultural artifacts from around the world, tailored for use in K-12 classrooms. We will also feature an overview of Latin American and East Asian artwork on these topics at the Johnson Museum of Art and an introduction to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird kits. 

Who Can Participate 

We welcome practicing and pre-service K–12 educators of all subjects and grade levels who work in New York State. While this year's institute will have more of a scientific focus than in past years, we believe this year’s theme will benefit educators of all subject areas, especially in developing cross-disciplinary, project-based activities with a global focus. 

Benefits

As a participant, you will...

• gain tools and knowledge to apply in your classroom around issues of plant and animal migration internationally and in our backyards. 

• connect issues affecting yourself and your students here in the U.S. with other parts of the world. 

• “recharge” intellectual batteries and deepen your own understanding and appreciation for plant and animal migration.  

• have the option to complete a lesson plan for additional CTLE hours that incorporates content from the workshop, with the support of our outreach staff.  

• receive a free eBird kit from the Lab of Ornithology, targeted for the grade band of choice ($70-$110 value). 

Schedule

9:00-9:15, Introductory remarks with Sarah Plotkin, Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies 

9:15-10:05, Seeds of Survival and Celebration: Plants and the Black Experience, with Sarah Fiorello, Jakara Zellner, and Lauren Salzman, Cornell Botanic Gardens 

10:10-11:05, Breakout sessions: 

• Art and Climate Struggle: Visual Interpretations of Plant and Animal Migration, with Carol Inge Hockett and Carina D’Urso, Johnson Museum of Art 

• eBird and Migration: Empowering Students with Participatory Science and Birds, with Kelly Schaeffer, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

11:10-12:00, Breakout sessions repeated 

12:00-12:30, Networking and reflection exercise with Sarah Plotkin, Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies 

12:30-1:30, Lunch (Thai food from Tamarind!) 

1:30-2:15, Plant and Animal Migration Shaping European Societies and Diets, Dr. Daniel Mason D’Croz, Department of Global Development 

2:20-3:05, How Global Fisheries Connect Us All – Environmental Change Impacts on Health and Well-being, Dr. Kathryn Fiorella, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health 

3:15-4:00,  Linking the Power of Bioacoustics to Locally Led Research Initiative: Monitoring Migratory Birds at a Regional Scale, Ashakur Rahaman, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

4:00-4:20, Introduction to Einaudi Culture Kits, Dr. Thamora Fishel, Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies 

4:20-4:30, Closing Remarks, Dr. Daniel Bass, Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies

Questions? Contact outreach coordinator Sarah Plotkin.