NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to the newsdesk (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 2:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

NSAC Receives a Proof-of-Concept Fund Award

Developing a biological method to control common weeds associated with agricultural production has earned the Nova Scotia Agricultural College a Proof-of-Concept award valued at $20,000 from Springboard Atlantic Inc. programs.

With a mandate to increase commercialization of academic research, each year Springboard provides $20,000 for promising early stage inventions through its Proof-of-Concept Program and $10,000 for investment-ready technologies through its Patent and Legal Fund.

NSAC Professor Glen Sampson has received a Proof-of-Concept program award valued at $20,000 for his research proposal entitled Mycoherbicides for use on Gallium species in Canada.

The award will enable Professor Sampson, and his team to develop and formulate a unique biological herbicide for the control of common broadleaf weeds associated with agricultural production. Professor Sampson is shown here with Cleavers, one of the weeds his team are trying to bring under control.

NSAC Teaching Workshop

Dr. David Coughlan, recipient of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) 2005 Distinguished teacher award will be presenting at NSAC on November 24, at 2:00 p.m. in Cox 257. This is part of the AAU lecture tour.

The title of Dr. Coughlan's presentation is: "Metaphor, Analogies, and Big Pictures: Creating Frameworks for Students to Learn in". Dr. Coughlan argues that most University courses require students to acquire a body of knowledge or skill and students will understand it best and internalize it most if they learn for themselves.

In this presentation, Dr. Coughlan will consider ways in which such frameworks can be constructed. Participants in the session will be invited to think about and develop ways to construct explanatory frameworks, metaphors or analogies for use in their own disciplines.

All Faculty, Staff, and Administrators are welcome to come to this inspiring presentation. This will be an excellent teaching workshop opportunity to think and learn about another approach for your courses.

If you have any further questions please contact Diane Dunlop, Department of Business and Social Sciences, 893-6307 or by e-mail: ddunlop@nsac.ca. Hope to see everyone on November 24 at 2p.m. in Cox 257!

AgriTECH Seminar Series and Networking Lunch (11:45-1:00 pm)

Create your own Christmas Papercrafts
Proposed Dates Nov 15, 22 and/or 29

Crafters Teresa McNutt and Carla MacKay will show you some ideas for Christmas cards and tags, Christmas ornaments and gift ideas. There will be a minimal cost to cover the supplies.

Please RSVP to: Teresa McNutt (mcnutttm@gov.ns.ca 893-6215) by November 7 if interested. Bring your own lunch

Advanced Connections Training Session Canceled

Please note that the Advanced Connections workshops scheduled for Wednesday, November 15 and December 13 have been cancelled. Further promotion will follow regarding future sessions to be held either through the exam period or early the week of December 18 before the holiday break.

For those interested in registering for a future workshop, please leave your name with Sandra Murphy, NSAC Awards, smurphy@nsac.ca or phone 893-7900.

Visiting Scientist Seminar

Dr. Touch Visalsok, Director, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences
Royal University of Agriculture (RUA), Cambodia

"The potential of botanical pesticides in Cambodia"

Date: November 14, 2006
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Haley Institute, Room 112

All are welcome to attend! This seminar is sponsored by NSAC Seminar Committee

NSAC Excellence in Teaching Awards

Its that time of year again! Staff as well as students are encouraged to consider nominating a technical and or faculty instructor who exemplifies the tradition of excellence that has been NSAC’s hallmark for the past century.

If you admire someone’s teaching style, don’t let their hard work go unrecognized. Deadline for 2006-07 nominations is Friday, December 1st. For more information on the nomination procedure, follow this link to the Instructional Development Committee teaching award page:

http://www.nsac.ns.ca/academics/idc/teaching.asp

Fridays at 3:00 Seminar

Andrew Grant - “Agriculture as I see it”

17th November 2006
3 to 4:00 pm
Cox Institute, Room 257

All are welcome to attend! This seminar is sponsored by the NSAC Seminar Committee and the Graduate Communications Class of AGRI 5700

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Joseph Gallant was registered with the NSAC for Take-Your-Kid to work day but was unable to make it back here for the afternoon activities. Below is a picture taken by Brad Crewe, Aboiteau Superintendent with the Department of Agriculture, Resource Stewardship Division, Land Protection Services. While the students were working hard following their parents around, Joseph was able to take a very active part in repairing/relining an aboiteau in Old Barns.

Thanks is extended to all the Resources Stewardship staff who made his day eventful.

Sally Steeves