I attended the International Association of Great Lakes Research conference in Detroit on Wednesday (thanks IL-IN Sea Grant!!). It was awesome. I'm literally living the dream of a science minded, Great Lakes lovin', life-long learning, teacher, husband, and father.
I hadn't been to a science research conference since being a senior undergrad in 2005. Whatever subject you teach, I highly encourage you to attend a professional conference in field that you teach. Highlights for me...
1.) After a 18 minute presentation and 3 main conclusions, an audience member raised their hand and said, "I have about 50 experiments that contradict your 2nd conclusion." Blunt scientists in action. The presenter handled it well, "We'll have to talk more about it out in the hall." let's go nature of science in action.
2.) Cities in Ontario are starting to charge by the area of their land that is impervious to storm water. This is in contrast to paying for stormwater systems based on property tax assessments. I thought the idea it awesome and would incentivize smarter land use.
3.) A researcher from Toledo went a bunch of bait shops (80? I think) to do species analysis. However, they paid for the bait with U. of Toledo purchase orders. Therefore, they are going to do the whole experiment again with cash to see if they can find different bait fish.
4.) I met a NOAA Education program evaluator and learned more about how to work with other adults in their professional development. Gently nudge, talk, converse, nudge, not so much positive reinforcement with teachers (we know that game).
5.) I made contact with Paris Collingsworth who referred me to Bernie Ingle who will be useful in our Anderson Road Property project to use BMP in hopefully converting land into a local county park. I was also introduced to "Tipping Points Planner" which helps communities in getting sustainability projects going.
6.) I found a book I want to get my dad for Christmas. It has historical land maps of Michigan with modern roads and towns overlaid from Michigan State University.
7.) Getting back on the Lake Guardian and confirming the demarcation between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
8.) Learning about DNA barcoding to determine exactly this species an organism.
9.) Northern snakehead and grass carp updates as potential future invaders. Northern Snakehead released ceremoniously into Chesapeake watershed?
10.) The are highly detailed images of the shoreline of the Great Lakes (Great Lakes Oblique Imagery).
11.) Updates on quagga mussels, round goby. We may by near the peak of quagga? At least we hope to be.
12.) The Friends of Detroit River have blazed the trail in getting projects funded and completed to restore habitat and improve the watershed in which they live. I need to join the Friends of St. Joseph River.
13.) Tsunami's on the Great Lakes. What?
14.) Grand Slam at Comerica Park.
