Science for Environmental Management 2015 poem
Bill Dennison ·Fifteen students from four campuses met each week
After watching YouTube lectures and reading a lot
Our class time flew by, did it not
Facilitators led the discussion, insights they did seek.
And the rapporteur provided the discussion summary
So that the author could draft up a synthesis blog
Clarifying the topic by avoiding intellectual fog
And posting as many blogs as the Internet could carry.
The students taught Don and Bill many things
From a reservoir in Brooklyn to sea turtles in Costa Rica
With Conowingo, Lake Erie, Florida, China, and even Africa
It was great to see what each student brings.
Twice we met in Annapolis to learn new skills
Checking out Maryland's capital city
Even in winter, it was actually quite pretty
And with these skills, student Camtasia's were as good as Don & Bill's.
Don and Bill visited all but one teaching location
Which kept them moving throughout the state
Reducing the distance in distance education is great
And it provided us all with more motivation.
Practitioners joined our class several times
They took our discussion to new heights
And gave us brand new insights
Which is great ‘cause heights and insights actually rhymes.
Don and Bill tried to pull an April Fools
Administering an unexpected and silly test
But finding their combined ages were more than 5 students--not the best
From now on these tests will need different rules.
The semester flew by and now looking back
The discussions we had were all quite pithy
And Don and Bill think
That you guys are on the right track.
Thanks to Vanessa Vargas
“Teaching Assistant Extraordinaire”
Thanks to Detbra, Sabrina, Rebecca, Cara, Michelle, Melanie, Emily, Fan, Wenfei, Whitney, Adriane, Martina, Suzi, Aimee and Stephanie
“Students Extraordinaire”
About the author
Bill Dennison
Dr. Bill Dennison is a Professor of Marine Science and Interim President at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES).