This past week, ECE took a field trip with our Environmental Sciences Instructors to the UConn Middlesex County Extension Center in Haddam, CT. Instructors were given lots of time to share resources and build connections with one another, as well as engaging in a keynote address entitled Building Connections to Urban Forests: Your Teacher’s Toolkit.

We extend our thanks to faculty coordinator Morty Ortega, as well as Dr. Mayra Rodriguez, the UConn Extension Center’s Assistant Extension Educator in Urban and Community Forestry for their efforts in creating a meaningful professional development experience for our instructors!

Environmental Sciences (NRE) courses available through UConn Early College Experience.

This past week, ECE took a field trip with our Environmental Sciences Instructors to the UConn Middlesex County Extension Center in Haddam, CT. Instructors were given lots of time to share resources and build connections with one another, as well as engaging in a keynote address entitled Building Connections to Urban Forests: Your Teacher’s Toolkit.

We extend our thanks to faculty coordinator Morty Ortega, as well as Dr. Mayra Rodriguez, the UConn Extension Center’s Assistant Extension Educator in Urban and Community Forestry for their efforts in creating a meaningful professional development experience for our instructors!

Environmental Sciences (NRE) courses available through UConn Early College Experience.

On, Wednesday, March 12^th UConn Early College Experience, in collaboration with the Environmental Sciences faculty, hosted the annual Professional Development Workshop for certified UConn ECE Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) instructors. The event was held virtually via WebEx, allowing participants from across the state to join remotely.

The conference began with a warm welcome and introductions led by Morty Ortega. The highlight of the morning was a presentation by Dr. Rick Relyea, Professor and David M. Darrin ’40 Senior Endowed Chair at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Relyea shared valuable insights on freshwater salinization and its ecological impacts on animals, plants, and algae.

Following a short break, the session resumed with a practical segment focused on bringing environmental science into the classroom, equipping instructors with tools and strategies to engage students in real-world ecological issues.

The workshop concluded with final thoughts from Morty Ortega, wrapping up a morning of meaningful discussion and professional growth for NRE educators.

On Tuesday, October 15th, UConn Early College Experience hosted a professional development workshop for certified ECE Environmental Science (NRE) teachers, under the guidance of Professor Morty Ortega, our ECE Faculty Coordinator for NRE. This was an exciting opportunity for our NRE community to meet offsite, at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in New Haven, CT. Instructors were treated to several informative talks, beginning with a discussion on integrated tick management research at the CAES led by wildlife biologist Dr. Scott Williams. Entomologist Dr. Megan Linske then delivered a fascinating lecture entitled “Diversity and Disease: Assessing Backyards for Tick Bite Prevention and Awareness”, all before lunch! The afternoon concluded with a final talk by entomologist Dr. Kelsey Fisher, which discussed Monarch butterfly biology and conservation needs. 

And, fun fact! Both Dr. Williams and Dr. Linske received their Ph.D.s from the University of Connecticut.

Thank you to all who joined us for an enriching experience!

 

UConn Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) Courses offered through Early College Experience.