Coffeyville Community College (CCC) science faculty members participated in the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) national conference this spring in San Francisco, Calif.  Chemistry instructor, Amy Lumley and environmental science teacher, Pam Oliver, were presenters at the NSTA conference.  They presented “In the Mood for Moodle” a session on the open source course management system. In addition to presenting, Lumley and Oliver attended a variety of sessions in search of information and lab experiments they could bring back to their own classrooms. 
 
“I attended numerous workshops in search of more information to develop my online classes,” said Lumley.  “There were a number of chemistry teachers presenting things that I can use in my classroom.”
 
“My focus was on my environmental science class and I wanted to get hands-on lab activities,” said Oliver.  “I also wanted to experience some real-life experience with eco-systems that we do not have in Kansas.”
 
In addition the conference sessions, the CCC faculty members did experience the culture and eco-systems of California through trips to area sites.  At Santa Cruz’s Stinson Beach they witnessed the walk-thru window at a Taco Bell designed to keep the surfer sand outside of the facility. They also visited the aquarium of the Bay, rode the Trolley cars and saw Alcatraz.
 
“The history of Alcatraz was amazing,” said Lumley.  “It was interesting to try and put ourselves in the shoes of the prisoners and the people who worked and lived there.”
 
They visited the Pescadero Light House.  The pigeon point light house is located in a marsh area on the coast and Lumley found the corrosion of the facility from age and an environment with a lot of sea water, applicable to her material science class work.  The Muir Woods Redwood Trees were a “highlight” according to Lumley.
 
“This was an important trip because I actually talk about John Muir in my environmental science class,” said Oliver.  “Seeing the plants that are not found in Kansas was very important.”
 
A tour of an organic winery was very interesting from a chemistry standpoint as Lumley learned how the growers used insects instead of pesticides to limit the plant damage.
 
Oliver had visited the Marine Mammal Center two years ago, became a member and brought back material for her class.  She and Lumley returned on this trip for an update on the animal health and releases.  This year the Center had a sea lion that was shot at Christmas time.  The animal’s recovery was questionable for a while and ultimately he ended up blind from the trauma.  Through rehab they noticed he was having trouble interacting and was acting depressed.  The solution was to introduce another blind sea lion.  The two quickly bonded and are now on their way to a new home as a pair.  Oliver and Lumley were able to see new elephant seals that were being taught how to eat.
 
“The exposure of going to different places makes me a better teacher because I can talk in the classroom about things I’ve actually seen,” said Oliver.