Project Title: 2006 ACSM Conference and Body Worlds 2 Exhibit
Project Author: Dianne Geddis (Phoenix College)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
Between 5/31/06 and 6/5/06 I attended the Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the BodyWorlds2 exhibit in Denver Colorado. At the ACSM Conference I attended many interesting sessions including: 1). Neurobiology of Appetite: Exercise and Energy Intake, 2). Exercise Adherence: Culture to Genes, 3). Nutrition Strategies to Promote Adaptations to Training, 4). Running Injuries: Latest Trends in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 5). Carbohydrate Metabolism and Exercise Performance, and 6). Respiratory Muscle Training: From Spontaneous Adaptations to Specific Ergogenic Aids. I was able to review the most current textbooks in the field of Exercise Science while visiting the Vendor area. In addition, I spent several hours reading the many hundreds of research posters on display each day.
Also in town during the ACSM Convention was the BodyWorlds2 Human Cadaver exhibit from Germany. I spent a full day touring the anatomical exhibit and also was able to purchase several highly quality visual aides and activities to enhance student learning in my Applied Anatomy and
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
I was able to meet the majority of objectives for Goal #1 and Goal #2 (ACSM Conference). I would have liked to attend a few more sessions on contemporary controversial issues related to exercise, health and wellness, but conflicting session times would not permit it. All in all, the sessions I attended were of a very high caliber and the presenters were world renown. Information presented was cutting edge.
Regarding Goal #3 (BodyWorlds2 Exhibit), I feel I exceeded my expectations. Not only was I able to spend a full day touring the exhibit, but at the last minute I was able to snag a ticket to hear a presentation by the exhibits’ creator, Dr. Gunther von Hagens. It was a small group of approximately 100 people or so and we were able to ask questions of Dr. von Hagen and hear, first hand, the history of the exhibit. Although I am not sure I am in complete agreement with the presentation of this exhibit, (due to controversy over the method by which the human cadavers are acquired) Dr. von Hagens was a very informative and entertaining presenter.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
The information gleaned from the Conference and the exhibit is of great benefit to me professionally. The conference gave me the opportunity to hear the most recent scientific research in the field of exercise and wellness. This information is directly related to PED200 which I teach each Spring semester. I plan to use many of the studies that were presented as articles for students to review. Based on my visits to the vendor area, I will be changing the text I use for that class as well.
The BodyWorlds2 Exhibit gave me an even greater understanding of the human body and this information will be helpful to me when I teach WED230 and WED231 in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Although I have attended several human cadaver dissection seminars, this exhibit was unique in that it displayed human tissue, including arterioles, veins, organs, nerves and muscles using a new technique called plastination. As an educator, I was given a 20 minute DVD explaining the process and the exhibit. This will be a very helpful tool in the classroom.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I plan to share my experiences from the ACSM Conference with colleagues during our Department meetings and with students in PED200.
I plan to share my experiences from the BodyWorlds2 Exhibit with massage students who are beginning the program this Fall semester as well as with fellow colleagues in the department during department meetings.
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01833