Contrary to popular belief that professors spend their summer leisurely laying by the pool, the A&E professors have been attending classes, plenaries and conferences to better prepare themselves to educate the students of this department.
Solar 2011
Professor of Environmental Science, Dr. Jim Cooke, headed to the American Solar Energy Society National Conference in Raleigh, N.C. on May 17-21.
“I try to attend every few years to help stay current,” said Dr. Cooke. “The conference draws educators, industry professionals, national laboratory scientists and governmental policy makers.”
The sessions focused on renewable energy such as wind and solar energy and hybrid cars. The conference also featured a large vender show displaying all the latest energy technology.
NACTA
Dr. Ed Brokaw, Department Chair and Professor of Animal Science and Dr. Michael Nicodemus, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science attended The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Conference in Edmonton, AB, Canada on June 14-17.
While enjoying a break from the Texas heat, Dr. Brokaw and Dr. Nicodemus attended presentations on teaching A&E. They also met with several consortium schools and explored new ways in which the schools can interact.
Dr. Nicodemus gave his first international presentation about utilizing a garden as a way of teaching students, based on the successful student responses of the raised bed gardens at Rhoden Farm.
Dr. Brokaw said another conference highlight was the wildlife tours and the opportunity he had to visit a buffalo managing facility, while Dr. Nicodemus toured greenhouses and botanical gardens.
Dr. Nicodemus also took a class at Vermont Law School entitled “Oil and Gas Production and the Environment.” VLS offers scholarships to professors of environmental law and advisors to environmental law students.
“I am more informed about environmental law and polices,” said Dr. Nicodemus. “I learned a lot and would like to do it again.”
Dr. Nicodemus explained that he learned better with the help of a professor, rather than just a text book.
“We have students every year that graduate and work in the oil and gas industry,” said Nicodemus. “I want to teach them better.”
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