Professional Development Institute
Thursday - February 9, 2012

In partnership with the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MAEOE offers a Professional Development Institute. Half day workshops with University faculty are focused, content-based programs that explore key topics in significant depth. These courses are designed to complement the applied methodologies that will be explored on Friday and Saturday.

While assocaiated with the conference, this is a stand-alone session. You do not need to register for the full conference in order to take advantage of this opportunity. Great way to build capacity at a great price.

Location: University of Maryland- Eastern Shore
Conference Center and University Labs

Morning Sessions 9:00am - 11am
Afternoon Sessions 1:00pm - 3pm

Environmental Film - Who Killed Crassostrea Virginica? The Fall and Rise of Chesapeake Bay Oysters

INSTRUCTOR:

Michael Fincham, Maryland Sea Grant College.

The Chesapeake was once home to the richest oyster grounds in the world. The native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, built massive reefs and filtered vast reaches of the Bay, removing algae and sediment. Now those reefs are gone. The historic fishery is a mere shadow.
This documentary, presented by Michael Fincham veteran filmmaker at MD Sea Grant College, details both the poignant destruction of a fabled fishery and the prolonged scientific inquiry into the origins of a killer parasite. Come learn about the history of the oyster fishery and the unique intersection of science inquiry and art.

Location:  UMES
Time: Offered twice 9am-11am and 1pm - 3pm

Which Way to the Oyster Bar?

INSTRUCTOR:

Mr. J. Adam Frederick serves as an education collaborator at the Center of Marine Biotechnology atthe University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in theBaltimore, which serves 3rd to 12th grade students andteachers, and with the National Aquarium in Baltimore Conservation Education Department. Ms. Jacqueline U.Takacs is a faculty member with University of Maryland, College Park, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,Maryland Cooperative Extension and Maryland Sea Grant
Extension Program and serves as the Watershed Restoration Specialist in Southern Maryland.

Oysters have been around for millions of years - they were used for food, tools, weapons and decoration. During the early 1600s in the Chesapeake region, oyster bars were so numerous and large, that they were reported as navigation hazards by Captain John Smith. Today, the state of the oyster fishery in the Chesapeake has dwindled to less than one percent of its historical mass. Learn about key reasons for this decline and hands-on activities related to the following topics:
• Overharvesting • Disease
• Anatomy • Ecology
• Sedimentation and pollution

Location:  UMES
Time: offered twice, 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm

Follow the Drop of Water

Instructor:

Erol Miller, Northwood High School, Montgomery County, MD
Alexander Chen, Urban Studies and Planning Program, University of Maryland

This hands – on workshop will demonstrate activities designed to introduce 9th grade students to the principles and practices of environmental studies. The activities will integrate Google mapping products with Fieldscope, a web based mapping analysis tool supported by National Geographic and available US Census data. Students will use the Fieldscope software to trace the path of a drop of water as it flows from their school to the Chesapeake Bay, as well as identify the watershed it crosses. In turn, students will learn how to access available census data and describe the population characteristics of its residents in the watershed. In addition, students will learn how to identify specific land uses that directly impact the quality of the drop of water. Finally, students will learn how to make field observations and take water samples of streams where the drop of water enters. These results will be uploaded to the Fieldscope site to share . Participants will replicate the different modules which will be developed for classroom use. They will become familiar with how to integrate available online mapping and data resources to engage students in the study of their environment. The modules are designed so that they can be modified for local study.

Location: UMES

Time: Offered twice 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm

Do You Ever Wonder if Your Seafood is Safe?

Instructor:

Dr. Salina Parveen & Seafood Technology Specialist, Tom Rippen, UMES

This session will cover seafood safety programs at UMES’ Center for Food Science and Technology. Researchers and Sea Grant Extension work together to identify potential problems and seek solutions. Topics include an overview of university outreach programs with the seafood industry and studies with oysters and the blue crab industry. Presentations will include classroom, laboratory tour and demonstrations of traditional and molecular techniques for tracking bacteria in the environment.

Location: UMES

Time: Offered twice 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm

Building Climate Understanding

Instructor:

Bart Merrick, NOAA/NCBO

Climate change is the most important environmental issue of our time. Overwhelming trends illustrate this change and the wide-ranging impact on society and the environment from the melting of ice sheets to sea level rise, ecosystem changes, alterations in the ocean chemistry and global water supplies. The U.S. is already facing the impact of climate change and the Chesapeake Bay Region is particularly vulnerable. Learn about key aspects of climate change, access teaching resources and experience hands-on activities to explore changing climate issues.

Full Day Workshop 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Oxford Cooperative Labs