‘Sustainability in Charlotte and Beyond’ focus of Charlotte Teachers Institute event

Monday, September 17, 2012

Charlotte Teachers Institute’s (CTI) “Exploding Canons” speaker series sets its sights on sustainable living as it presents a panel discussion and information expo from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, at UNC Charlotte Center City.

Academic and community experts from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds will examine the topic “Sustainability in Charlotte and Beyond.”  This free, public event is being sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas with support from Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place.

“The breadth of speakers on this Exploding Canons panel reflects the relation of sustainability to many aspects of life,” said CTI executive director Scott Gartlan. “The expo will present a wide representation of organizations and businesses who are working diligently to address current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. This will be a great opportunity for the community to connect with academic experts in a variety of fields, as well as get practical information about daily living and viable business choices.”

The event will start with a reception and information expo in the UNC Charlotte Center City atrium at 5:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium. The panel includes faculty from Davidson College, UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest University and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The expo will continue after the panel discussion until 9 p.m.  Space is limited, so registration at http://charlotteteachers.org is recommended. CMS teachers and administrators from all grade levels and subject areas are especially encouraged to attend.

Featured topics and speakers include:

  • “The Politics of Sustainability,” Graham Bullock, assistant professor of political science and environmental studies, Davidson College
  • “The Business Case for Sustainability,” Dan Fogel, executive professor of business and associate director of the Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University
  • “Air Quality: When the ‘Top Ten’ is Not the Goal,” Cindy DeForest Hauser, associate professor of chemistry, Davidson College
  • “Visualizing Alternative Futures of Urbanization and Sustainable Growth,” Ross Meentemeyer, professor of geography and executive director of the Center for Applied Geographic Information Science, UNC Charlotte
  • “Small Changes/Big Results: Creating a Positive Impact on the Environment,” Jashonai Payne, 5th grade teacher, Clear Creek Elementary School; and Deb Semmler, physics teacher, East Mecklenburg High School
  • “New Materials for Modern Infrastructure,” Brett Tempest, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, UNC Charlotte

Rob Phocas, energy and sustainability manager for the City of Charlotte, will serve as moderator for the panel discussion.

Community partners in the information expo will include Catawba River District, Center for Sustainability/Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, Charlotte Nature Museum, City of Charlotte, Clean Air Carolina, Davidson College’s Office of Sustainability, Discovery Place, Duke Energy – Smart Energy Now, Envision Charlotte, Friendship Gardens, Garinger High School Fit and Green, Grub to Grub, Juice from Juice, Lime Energy, McColl Center for Visual Art, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Greenway Program, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Services (Wipe Out Waste), Michael Scott Mater Foundation, North Carolina Air Awareness, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, Piedmont Natural Gas , Project for innovation, Energy and Sustainability – North Carolina (PiES), Queen City Forward, Sustain Charlotte, UNC Charlotte Levine Scholars Program, UNC Charlotte’s Office of Sustainability, U.S. Green Buildings Council – Charlotte Region Chapter and others.

The “Exploding Canons” speaker series leverages the partnerships among CTI to offer educators and the public collaborative educational opportunities that highlight university and college faculty, explore diverse topics in an interdisciplinary manner, and encourage community conversation.