Students Crossing Boundaries

Research in the Amazon can inspire teachers and their students in North America.
photo by Imazon

“Students have a role to play in their local environment and the broader world,” says Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology director of education. Trautmann codirects the Crossing Boundaries project—a three-year experiment in science education funded by the National Science Foundation.

This summer, 20 teachers will learn how to introduce high-tech tools to their biology and environmental science classes. They’ll study biodiversity issues close to home and in far-off rainforests in Brazil and Mexico. Cornell doctoral students Marita Davison and Nate Senner will mentor the students and take them along on their field studies, researching flamingos in the Bolivian Andes and tracking godwit migration routes.

“It’s hard not to get excited when you see such interesting research in exotic places,” says Trautmann.

Redheads Win Division in Birding Competition

The Redheads, (L–R): Brad Walker, Jay McGowan, Shawn Billerman (captain), Tom Johnson.
photo by Louise Zemaitis

On May 9, the Redheads, the student team representing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the World Series of Birding, tallied 187 species to take first place in the Cape May County Division. Our Sapsuckers took third place in the overall competition. Combined, the two teams raised more than $200,000 for bird conservation programs and undergraduate research—a new record! Thanks to sponsor Swarovski Optik, and to everyone who made pledges, for this support!

Outstanding Service to Students Award

On May 24, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Irby Lovette was named the 2009 recipient of the Harry T. Stinson Award for Outstanding Service to Biology Students. This award is based on student nominations. One student wrote, “He inspires students to do their very best work.” Another said, “I am going to graduate school largely because I have had such a wonderful research experience. Before that I was unsure if I even wanted to be a biology major.”

Migration Celebration

Research in the Amazon can inspire teachers and their students in North America.
photo by Imazon

On May 16, 2009, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology held our annual Migration Celebration in Sapsucker Woods to mark International Migratory Bird Day. People from around the Ithaca area enjoyed guided bird walks, activities for adults and children, live birds of prey, and an inside look at some of the Lab’s projects.