Achievement

Our first class of Trainees began in Fall 2008. As part of the ERIE-IGERT core requirements, we developed a second new interdisciplinary course, built around the theme of Practices in Ecological Restoration. The Spring 2009 offering, taught by ERIE co-PI Sean Bennett, focused on Stream Restoration. Future offerings will focus on Lake Restoration and Groundwater Restoration.

As part of the course requirements, students worked in interdisciplinary teams to conduct projects that addressed both scientific and social issues. The course was also popular with non-IGERT students, with additional enrollment from Geography and Civil Engineering. The results from an ongoing external evaluation will be used to improve next year’s offering.