Nov. 25, 2013
For Immediate Release
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| At Campbellsville University’s Outdoor Classroom Institute were from left: Blaire Bland of Campbellsville University; Tara Burkhead of Washington County Middle School with her daughter MaKenzi and son Landon in front of her; Kelsea McCoy of CU; Marcia Sharp of Campbellsville Elementary with her daughter Alexis in front of her; Brenda Tungate, associate professor of biology at CU and OCI director; Belinda Wilkins-Smith, environmental educator; and Amy Young of Calvary Elementary. (Campbellsville University Photo by Samantha Clark)
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By Jordan Antle, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University’s Outdoor Classroom Institute (OCI) is an annual outreach that serves teachers in central Kentucky provided by the staff of Clay Hill Memorial Forest and the faculty of the Division of Natural Science of Campbellsville University with funding from Kentucky Utilities.
Brenda Tungate, associate professor of biology, who serves as director of the OCI, said, “It gives me a chance to not only effect the lives of those teachers that attend but also make an impact for awareness of education in general.”
This year’s OCI was themed “Landscapes – Past and Present” and marked the 11th year of the program. The weeklong seminar featured guest speakers such as Dr. Julian Campbell, botanist and plant ecologist from London. England; and Dr. Chris Groves, distinguished professor of geography at Western Kentucky University and director of the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute there.
Dr. Gordon Weddle, professor of biology and director of Clay Hill Memorial Forest, said, “It has turned out to be a very good event for us, and everyone who has ever been involved.”
Many topics were discussed at the event such as Kentucky landscapes, regional geology, landscape change and land management. On the last day of the OCI, teacher-participants presented lessons they designed from the material presented throughout the week.
Tungate said, “The week was a great success. The teacher’s presentations were wonderful and reflected the vast degree to which they benefited from all that they learned throughout the week.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.