Cohen has always considered himself a student, learning about science and education from people of all ages, especially children. Thus, this lecture series named in his honor embraces the notion of continuous learning. The program also allows the IU School of Education at IU Indianapolis to share its work in urban education, connect with the larger community, and encourage further innovation and collaboration.

In the past, gifts to this fund have supported opportunities such as:

• Keynote speakers
• Community panelists
• Hospitality needs
• Site fees

Thank you for supporting this important work!

ABOUT MICHAEL R. COHEN

Michael Cohen was educated in public schools in New York, Florida, and North Carolina. After graduating from Brooklyn College, he taught junior high school science in Brooklyn. He completed his graduate studies at Columbia University and Cornell University, where he was a teaching assistant in astronomy and directed a National Science Foundation program.

In 1968, Cohen became the fourth full-time faculty member at the downtown campus of Indiana University of Indianapolis. Within a year, IU Indianapolis was formed; within a few more years, there were 20 full-time faculty members. During his 35 years at IU Indianapolis, Cohen was also a visiting scholar/professor at Hebrew University, the University of Surrey, the University of Costa Rica, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center in Astrophysics, and Queensland University of Technology.

Cohen's professional research and writing covered environmental attitudes and information; science misconceptions of children and adults; instruction (elementary school science textbooks); and creative problem-solving. His work on the environment and phases of the moon was replicated and cited by a variety of scholars in several disciplines. His public service and ongoing efforts to share his ideas led him to become a regular contributor for the Indianapolis Star and to serve as an elected commissioner for Indianapolis Public Schools.

While at IU Indianapolis, Cohen received several awards from the university, state, and national organizations. In 1983, he was the first recipient of the Burton Gorman Award for Creative Teaching for the IU School of Education. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1984.

Please note, the name and purpose of the fund displayed on this page constitute the authorized description of the fund by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. Your gift supports the fund as described herein.

In July 2024, IUPUI will become Indiana University Indianapolis and will no longer be affiliated with Purdue University. The Indiana University Foundation, Inc. will update all fund titles and fund descriptions for IUPUI funds to reflect this change, and funds intended for Purdue’s School of Engineering and Technology will be transferred to Purdue under the agreement between IU and Purdue. Until July 2024, gifts to this fund will continue to be administered by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc., on behalf of IUPUI.