KABT 50th Anniversary Fall Conference at ESU
On Saturday, September 12, 2009 the annual KABT Fall Conference took place at Emporia State University. The conference had speakers give talks about H1N1 status, the new National Bioterrorism Agriculture Facility at KSU, Global Warming, Wind Energy, Nuclear Energy, Great Plains Nature Center, the Status of Biology Teachers in Kansas, and Collaboration in Biology Teaching. The agenda allowed for all to be able to listen to all of the topics that were presented. Another aspect that made this meeting special was that this was the 50th Anniversary of KABT! Some of the past members that have since retired were present and accounted for. The retirees added a special flair and it was a pleasure and honor to visit with previous members that built KABT into what it has become today. They were, in fact, the shoulders that biology teachers today stood on. There were quite a few Kansas biology teachers that attended the meeting and they are always given the opportunity to “freebies” from different area agencies.
If given the chance, and your schedule allows time, attending a KABT meeting provides an interaction among biology teachers that is hard to find in other gatherings. Listening to experienced teachers and young teachers allows a learning experience for all involved. Below are some photos from the conference.
![Lunch Meeting KABT lunchtime](https://www.kabt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/P1010465-300x225.jpg)
KABT lunchtime
![P1010489 Bob Gress talking about the Great Plains Nature Center](https://www.kabt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/P1010489-300x225.jpg)
Bob Gress talking about the Great Plains Nature Center
![P1010461 Dr. Jerry Jax discussing the NBAR facility](https://www.kabt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/P1010461-300x225.jpg)
Dr. Jerry Jax discussing the NBAR facility
![P1010448 Registration for KABT conference](https://www.kabt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/P1010448-300x225.jpg)
Registration for KABT conference
![P1010467 Eric Kessler and Stan Roth discussing biology](https://www.kabt.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/P1010467-300x225.jpg)
Eric Kessler and Stan Roth discussing biology
I enjoyed the conference. This is the 2nd time I have heard Jerry Jaax speak, he is very interesting!!