We believe that teacher education works best when students and faculty get out of IU Indianapolis classrooms and into community schools and organizations. We are also committed to interrupting the summer learning loss so many children experience. The School of Education hosts several year-round and summer programs for Indianapolis youth and adults.
The annual Cohen Lecture is an event celebrating extraordinary teachers, engaging local educators and citizens in conversations about teaching and learning, highlighting innovative and exemplary practices, while grappling with critical issues.
This event is designed to engage alumni, donors, and advocates for the School of Education in a meaningful experience and showcase the work the School of Education is doing in the Indianapolis community, through alumni, research, and community partnerships.
A gift to the Cohen Lecture Series will support future events and embrace Dr. Cohen’s philosophy around lifelong learning.
Make a Gift: Michael R. Cohen Lectureship
History of the Cohen Lecture Series
Named after Dr. Michael Cohen, in 1968 he became the fourth full-time faculty member at the downtown campus of Indiana University of Indianapolis. Within a year, IUPUI was formed and within a few years, there were 20 full-time faculty members.
During his 35 years at IUPUI (now known as IU Indianapolis), Dr. Cohen was a visiting scholar/professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the University of Surrey in Guildford in England, the University of Costa Rica, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center in Astrophysics in Cambridge, and the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. University. Throughout his career, Dr. Cohen continues to consider himself a student learning about science and education from people of all ages, especially children.
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools program provides a six-week summer enrichment experience through a research-based and multicultural curriculum that supports children and families through five essential components. Each summer, the IU School of Education in Indianapolis collaborates with the Center for Africana Studies and Culture and other community partners across the campus and city to bring our faculty, staff, and program resources to a local elementary school.Since 2017, IU Indianapolis has sponsored a Freedom School site at locations around Indianapolis, including George Buck Elementary and Ernie Pyle Elementary. Annually, the site serves 50 kindergarten through fifth-grade children. To keep this summer enrichment experience free to all its participants, make a gift today!
Girls STEM Institute helps girls of color - who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields - an opportunity to develop an understanding of mathematics and other STEM concepts in a meaningful and culturally grounded context.
Moving into its 10th year, the institute is a year-round program, including a summer camp and Saturday sessions, where girls in grades 3rd through 12th grade interact with STEM professionals and activities. Led by Dr. Crystal Morton, the Girls STEM Institute serves up to 60 girls and young women scholars each year.
A gift to the Girls STEM Institute will ensure this program remains free-of-cost to its participants and inspire girls of all ages to explore and gain confidence in culturally grounded, inquiry-based STEM curricula through hands-on and minds-on experiences.
Note: Girls STEM Summer Institute is open and available to all individuals, regardless of race or gender.
