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Meeting Today's Challenges - 2003

Davenport, IA - With war beginning and the fear of traveling for many people, the 60 attendees at the 2003 Central PETE Conference (both North and South Central PETE members were invited) were treated to many sessions that will revitalize their teaching strategies, materials, and students. Everyone was welcomed to Davenport, Iowa, by John Blong, the Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community College. Julie Maurer of North Central PETE and Sharon Flanagan of South Central PETE emceed the proceedings.

Kirk Laflin, Director of National PETE, opened the conference by providing an overview of the organization - both pending projects and future possibilities. Ellen Kabat Lensch, Director of ATEEC, reported on the past and future of ATEEC's programs. The Midwest OSHA Education Center was introduced by Chris King, St. Louis University, and Ron Snyder, Kirkwood Community College. The Keynote Address by Dr. Jay Lehr, Ohio, entitled "Teaching the Truth about Our Environment While Navigating in a Sea of Junk Science," was designed to make us evaluate the slant of information we receive from all sources.

	Dr. Jay Lehr recommended several books during his keynote address. His "top picks" included: The Skeptical Environmentalist, Bjorn Lomborg, 800.221.4512 Saving the Planet With Pesticides and Plastic, Dennis Avery, 888.554.1325 Facts Not Fear, A Parents Guide, Michael Sanera and Jane Shaw, 800.462.6420 Junk Science Judo: Self-Defense Against Health Scares and Scams, Steve Milloy
He also recommended the Environment & Climate News, a "monthly newspaper for common-sense environmentalists." A free subscription can be obtained by writing The Heartland Institute, 19 South LaSalle #903, Chicago, IL 60603.

The breakout sessions featured GIS, online courses, energy services curriculum, energy efficiency, building operator certification, and Cedar Valley Contractor's Safety Council. The second day's offerings included today's more immediate concerns of homeland security, terrorism, and the psychological aspects of terrorism in addition to information on governmental web sites, using Blackboard 5, and ATEEL. The post-conference workshop on Cameo was also well attended.

In talking to the attendees, the impression was that this conference truly had something for everyone. Many attendees left with not only additional information, but ideas on how to improve their programs and teaching methods.

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