Biology Lecturer Susan Schauer presented ‘How Do You Teach Biology Labs Online?’ explaining how she presents material traditionally delivered in a lab to an online audience. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Instructor Jody Shepard showes off examples of green sculpture created in her class. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comUNM-Los Alamos faculty shared their research and projects Thursday, April 25 at ‘UNM-LA on Display.” From the paintings of Patrick Harris and the ceramics of Barb Yarnell to the environmental research and robotics projects of Don Davis, to translations from Latin and Ancient Greek by Dr. Hans Hanson, UNM-LA instructors shared their work.
Dr. Kate Massengale delivers ‘Last Lecture.’ Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com 
Many displays focused on teaching methods, including online instruction and using technology to improve outcomes in mathematics. Dr. Kate Massengale, Dean of Instruction at UNM-Los Alamos delivered her “Last Lecture” at “UNM-LA on Display.” Massengale is retiring this summer.
The idea of a Last Lecture is for a retiring professor to share his or her wisdom about what’s important in life or how to live one’s life. That tradition has been epitomized by Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon, who spoke about the need to fulfill childhood dreams, a speech given when he was terminally ill with cancer.
“I’ve been concerned for some time of our loss of civil discourse, how polarized we are, how easily we are manipulated by the use of fear, and therefore, how little imagination or creativity we bring to solving real problems for our country, our world, and our earth,” Massengale said. “And maybe it’s just me, but I’ve noted an increase of miscommunication in the private or work arena as well. I don’t have answers for the national stage, but practically my entire life, I’ve been trying to develop myself to have less fear and more love, to have self-confidence and yet humility, to trust myself but also to listen to others.”
Massengale took the audience on a journey through her life as she explained how she struggled to learn these lessons.
“I’ve reached a stage when it is very important to give more time to my husband of 38 years, and for me to work on my own well-being,” she said in conclusion.
Massengale thanked her colleges and shared some of her poems.
Assistant Professor of Applied Technologies Don Davis presented ‘Robotics at UNM-LA.’ Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
‘Cool Clay,’ the pottery of Fine Arts Lecturer Barb Yarnell. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Dr. Hans Hanson shows a visitor his display ‘Letters From Lovers Scorned: Ovid’s ‘Heroides’ and the ‘Letter from Briseis to Achilles.’ Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
