The Paul F-Brandwein Institute, Inc. is a nonprofit organization. To perpetuate the work of Paul F-Brandwein, the Institute is dedicated to the education of all learners in recognition of their interdependence with nature and responsibility for sustaining a healthful and healing environment. This site is both a showcase for the Institute's activities, and a working environment for ongoing collaboration and dialog among the institute's fellows, staff, and board members.
Once constructed, the trails on the Brandwein-Morholt Trust property (Rutgers Creek Wildlife Conservancy) will be used by local school students and club members to perform field studies. Virtual investigations will also encouraged so that students around the country can participate in the trails activities in their communities and share data with their counterparts. Click here for a map of the proposed trails or to download the draft proposal outlining the trails development plan. Click here for remarks made by Jerry Schierloh made at the ceremony and here for the Ground Breaking Press Release.
Lesson plans and skill-building activities, aimed at the middle grades level, have been developed by outstanding science teachers who are Brandwein Fellows. The activities may be used by teachers visiting the learning preserve with their students or by teachers in other parts of the country who have access to outdoor field study.
Storm Damage to Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve
Rains and winds from Hurricane Irene caused significant damage to the trails that had been constructed on the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve. Flood waters and downed trees have covered the entire west wood and south wood trails, destroying some benches as well. Repairs are underway, but will be costly and cause delays in the opening of the preserve, previously scheduled for fall of 2012.
David Macaulay is Brandwein Lecturer at NSTA
David MacaulayAward-winning illustrator and author David Macaulay delivered the Brandwein Lecture at the NSTA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on March 31, 2012. Macaulay received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), but vowed never to practice. After working as an interior designer, a junior high school teacher, and a teacher at RISD, Macaulay began to experiment with creating books. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, the human race’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments have been demystified through Macaulay's elaborate illustrations and straight-forward explanations. Macaulay is best known for the award-winning international bestseller The Way Things Work, which was expanded and updated in 1998 and renamed The New Way Things Work. The title of his lecture was “Ingenuity,” also the title of a book he’s currently writing that addresses the needs and opportunities at particular times in history and how people addressed and responded to them. Click here to see a video of David Macaulay's Brandwein Lecture.
Bill Aldridge received a 2012 Brandwein Medal for his lifetime achievement in promoting science education and teacher professionalism. Bill served as NSTA Executive Director from 1980-1995. Under his leadership, many programs, including Toyota Tapestry, were implemented to benefit science educators. Prior to coming to NSTA, he served as a program officer at the National Foundation for three years. Bill is the author of numerous textbooks, monographs, and published papers. He has an M.S. in evaluation and an M.S. in physics from the University of Kansas and MEd in science education from Harvard University. In 1995, NASA awarded Bill its Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to a non-NASA individual.