We are only scratching the surface of what our event partners and content contributors have to share! From the iEcoLab to the Elmwood Park Zoo, from the Ambler Arboretum to Temple’s College of Science and Technology, there is a treasure trove of information about science, nature and the world around you! What will you discover?
Temple Ambler EarthFest
Our mission is to provide meaningful, impactful educational experiences for all ages throughout the year. Instead of one day and one event, we invite you to celebrate the Earth at several smaller, student and family-centered events! EarthFest events and online content are designed to provide more personalized opportunities to interact with our program partners and engage in citizen science.
Ambler Arboretum of Temple University
The Ambler Arboretum of Temple University is an educational resource modeling the art and science of horticulture and environmental responsibility while fostering research, celebrating the achievements of women in horticulture, preserving the historic significance of the campus and highlighting the health benefits of nature, plants and gardening. The Ambler Arboretum of Temple University is proud to be a part of America's Garden Capital. The Ambler Arboretum is providing a series of videos designed to help you connect with nature and the outdoors. Take an arboretum walk with Arboretum Director Kathy Salisbury, make new “fronds,” learn about emerald ash borer, and more!
Temple Ambler Field Station
The Ambler Campus was designated in 2020 as the Temple Ambler Field Station, a platform for environmental field research and education. The Field Station leverages the 187-acre Ambler Campus and Ambler Arboretum as a living laboratory, providing access to a diversity of natural habitats including old growth and secondary forests, meadows, ephemeral streams, and our beautiful designed gardens. The Field Station’s goal is to be a platform for research across disciplines, from STEM fields to the liberal arts.
College of Science and Technology
The College of Science and Technology (CST), with more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, is one of Temple University’s fastest growing schools. Through its innovative Undergraduate Research Program, students work side-by-side with experienced faculty researchers in the lab, in the field and in the classroom. External funding for advanced research — in big data, advanced materials, health and beyond — has increased by more than 85 percent in just the past five years, creating new opportunities for CST faculty to take on today’s toughest scientific challenges. The College of Science and Technology in copperation with TUTeach offers a wonderful series of FunScienceDemos. If you are a teacher in need of science readings, writing prompts and more, they also offer a comprehensive companion site.
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
Managing the complex system of land-water-energy resources underpinning our society is the grand challenge of the 21st century. To meet this challenge, the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at Temple University is exploring the interactions between Earth systems and human activities. The department’s research and teaching delves into the interface of the geosphere and hydrosphere in both ancient and modern systems. The department’s goals are to understand natural processes in these systems as well as how they are changed by the expanding impact of human activities through cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research.
Temple Biology Department
The Department of Biology at Temple University is a diverse department that teaches about 1,500 undergraduate majors, runs multiple graduate programs including a Ph.D. program in biology with research emphases in computational evolutionary genomics (computational biology), ecology, neuroscience, and cell/molecular biology. The department has also developed an exciting new PhD in Bioinformatics program with interdisciplinary tracks that span biology, chemistry, and computer science.
Temple College of Engineering
For the College of Engineering, teaching and student involvement remains the top priority and commitment even while the College is making breakthroughs in engineering. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research within the engineering disciplines and with Temple’s medical, dental, podiatry and pharmacy schools are an advantage for the College. Meanwhile Temple University has attained prominent research designations, which also opens new research opportunities for the institution and its colleges.
Temple University Office of Sustainability
Temple University educates a vibrate student body and creates new knowledge through innovative teaching, research and other creative endeavors. Temple aspires to serve as a model for urban institutions and to burnish its national reputation for excellence and commitment to principled policy and climate action. The Office of Sustainability fosters communication, collaboration, and coordination between stakeholder in the Temple University community. The Office of Sustainability consists of professional staff and dedicated student leaders who champion climate action inititives at Temple University and in our community.
iEcoLab
iEcoLab is the Integrative Ecology Lab run jointly by Jocelyn Behm and Matthew Helmus at the Center for Biodiversity in the Biology Department at Temple University. The mission of the iEcoLab is to integrate biodiversity science with human ecology to understand contemporary patterns of biodiversity and its functioning within ecosystems.
Cordes Laboratory
The Cordes Laboratory in the Biology Department at Temple University studies deep-sea corals, cold seeps, seamounts and the deep sea using manned submersibles (HOVs), ROVs, AUVs, CTDs, oceanography, marine aquaria, physiology, phylogenetics, population genetics, RNAseq, community ecology, population ecology, statistical analysis, and predictive habitat modeling. Issues that the lab is tackling include oil and gas industry impacts and management, global ocean change, fisheries management, and biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Programs
The Landscape Architecture and Horticulture programs in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University share a vision of inspiring the next generation of professionals to lead the transformation of natural and built environments; and creating places that are ecologically sound, socially equitable and resilient, while addressing the challenges of climate change.
Elmwood Park Zoo
The Elmwood Park Zoo was founded in 1924. In 1985, the Norristown Zoological Society became an official non-profit organization and assumed control of Elmwood Park Zoo from the Borough of Norristown. Elmwood Park Zoo is dedicated to providing the community with varied learning experiences that encourage people to play an active role in wildlife and environmental conservation activities. Through the work of its Education Department, the zoo strives to empower its guests with the skills, knowledge and resources that may influence them to lead environmentally healthy lives. The Zoo’s mission is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation. The Zoo participates in programs and initiatives that help save wildlife, and it teaches others how they can help prevent species extinction and resource depletion.
Delaware River Basin Commission
The members of this regional body - the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) - include the four basin state governors and the Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who serves as the federal representative. Commission programs include water quality protection, water supply allocation, regulatory review (permitting), water conservation initiatives, watershed planning, drought management, flood loss reduction, and recreation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during and after distasters. FEMA employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., FEMA has 10 regional offices located across the country. The FEMA Regiona III office, located in Philadelphia, oversees federal emergency management for Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and seven Tribal Nations.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)
The EPA Mid-Atlantic office serves Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and seven Tribal Nations. Experience the Mid-Atlantic Region’s significant strides in protecting our air, water, land, and public health through videos, mapping, stories, and personal accounts. Learn more about these success stories. The EPA also provides extensive resources on a wide variety of environmental topics, from water and greener living to air and health.
Upper Dublin Township
Upper Dublin Township was established in 1701, when William Penn ordered a survey of all townships in the Commonwealth. It was first settled in 1698 and was incorporated in 1719 according to records from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission regarding Montgomery County municipalities. The township's mission is to "work with each other and the community to make Upper Dublin Township the best place to live, work and play." The township provides a comprehensive series of resources, including its Stormwater Management Program.
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
The Air Quality Partnership (AQP) of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is a public / private coalition dedicated to improving air quality in the Greater Philadelphia Region by providing air quality advisories and educating the public about air quality issues. The AQP is administered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The AQP provides air quality forecasts for ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). Sign-up for air quality alerts, or check the forecast daily and take the proper actions to reduce pollution and protect your health. Businesses, organizations, and individuals are welcome to contact the AQP or your local Transportation Management Association for tips and programs to help improve air quality in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
The Franklin Institute
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned leader in science and technology learning through hands-on exhibits, theaters, live shows, outreach and awards recognition. Exhibits include the famous Giant Heart, Your Brain, The Train Factory, Sir Isaac's Loft, Space Command, Amazing Machine, Changing Earth and much more!
Academy of Natural Sciences
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science. Visitors to the Academy have the opportunity to get face-to-face with towering dinosaurs, meet live animals, and explore a tropical garden filled with live butterflies. The Academy’s collections contain more than 18 million specimens and archival treasures and rate among the world’s most significant in terms of geographic, biological, and historical depth and breadth.