Professional Development Institute
Thursday - February 4, 2010

In partnership with theUniversity of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, MAEOE has developed a Professional Development Institute offering focused, content-based programs that explore key topics in significant depth. These content 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: Western Maryland Research and Education Center - Keedysville, Maryland (between Frederick and Hagerstown)
Each session is 3hours in length
$30 and includes lunch

Entomology 101 and Beyond

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Michael J. Raupp, a professor and extensionspecialist at the University of Maryland at College Park.He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Rutgers University and his Ph. D. in entomology at the University of Maryland.As an extension specialist, he develops and implements IPM programs for managed landscapes. Please note: Theafternoon session builds on information from the morning session—you may want to consider taking them as a pair.

Morning Session: Overview of insect biology including anatomyand physiology. Major insect groups will be described andtheir general ecological roles will be discussed. Methodsfor observing and collecting insects will also be reviewed.

Afternoon Session: In-depth treatment of insect ecology, evolutionary relationships, mechanisms underlying biodiversity,and a discussion of laboratory and field exercises designedto explore the roles of insects in the environment.

Understanding and Using GPS for Land Management Decisions

INSTRUCTOR:

Jonathan Kays has an M.S. in Forestry fromVirginia Tech, and a B.S. in Natural Resource Managementfrom Cook College, Rutgers University. His varied background includes county forester with the VirginiaDepartment of Forestry, research assistant at the Instituteof Ecosystem Studies in NY, High School Earth Scienceteacher, and forestry technician with the U. S. Forest Servicein northern Idaho. Please note: The afternoon sessionbuilds on information from the morning workshop—youmay want to consider taking them as a pair.

Morning Session: Introduction to handheld GPS devices, entering
data, and practical field applications using GPS data.

Afternoon Session: Advanced uses of GPS as well as application
of skills and more discussion of how to integrate this
technology into the classroom.

Exploring Soil Science and Soil Fertilityin Support of Plant Growth

INSTRUCTOR:

Heather Hutchinson is a nutrient managementspecialist with the University of Maryland, whereshe first wrote nutrient management plans for farmers; she now develops technical and training materials, anddelivers courses for nutrient management consultantsadvisors. Heather holds a B.S. in Agricultural Science andan M.S. in Animal Science from Penn State University, and a certificate in Teaching and Training at a Distance from the University of Maryland. She is currently pursuing a Mastersof Distance Education degree.

Morning Session: Introduction to the dynamic nature of soil and
its many functions. Discuss factors influencing soil composition,
biological and chemical reactions within soil systems
and nutrient availability, as well as soil sample collection
for nutrient analysis and interpretation of soil test results.

Afternoon Session: Repeated Session

Studying Marine and Aquatic Biodiversity Through Field and Lab Experiences

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.