The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences' Department of Horticultural Science owns its own 1137-acre landscape arboretum in Chaska, Minn. The Arboretum holds "magnificent gardens, model landscapes, and natural areas-from woodlands and wetlands to prairie-with extensive collections of northern-hardy plants." The purpose of the Arboretum is to provide a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research and public education; to develop and evaluate plants and horticultural practices for cold climates, and to inspire and delight all visitors with quality plants in well-designed and maintained displays, collections, model landscapes, and conservation areas.

The Arboretum has 12.5 miles of paths for visitors to wander while they enjoy the 32 display and specialty gardens, 48 plant collections, and more than 5,000 plant species. There are always interesting and enjoyable events happening at the Arboretum. They currently have a number of holiday events along with different outdoor activities happening in the next couple of weeks. Click here to check out the different ways to have fun at the Arboretum!

While the Arboretum definitely has entertainment value, there's also important research happening there every day. Some examples of Arboretum research include fruit breeding, wetland restoration, and woody landscape research. The U of M's Woody Landscape Plant Breeding and Genetics Program began in 1954 to breed trees and shrubs capable of withstanding Minnesota's harsh climate.

If you are interested in visitng the Arboretum, check out their visit page. They are open 363 days of the year, and it is free for U of M students (plus, the Arboretum provides internship opportunities for U of M students year-round!).

One of the most noticeable differences I experienced between high school and college curriculum was the amount of essay-writing required. As a liberal arts student, you will undoubtedly hone your composition skills through many hours of writing and editing. Rest assured that there are resources available on campus to help make you the best writer you can be.

The Student Writing Support Center, located in Nicholson Hall, offers free writing instruction to all University of Minnesota students at any stage of the writing process. Student Writing Support can help you "develop productive writing habits and revision strategies." They offer online collaborative consutlations or one-on-one consultations. During an online consultation, students submit a paper, along with any questions they may have, to a consultant who then reads through the paper and provides feedback. Students can then set up a follow-up chat to go over any new or old questions. During a one-on-one consultation, students can receive guidance on where to start a paper, how to work through writer's block, and tips for revising, editing and proofreading.

So remember, if you're having difficulty with writing a paper (or just want to have a fresh set of eyes looking over your work) the Student Writing Support Center is just a click or call away!

Winter break is here! This year, the University's break is from December 22, 2010 until January 18, 2011. After all of my final tests and projects, I am ready to have some rest and relaxation. 

Without classes in session, campus gets rather quiet during the break. Some students stay on campus for work and other commitments, while some students move home for the break. The residence halls close, and so do most of the Greek houses. My sorority house closes tomorrow, so I will be moving home to Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, means I will not be blogging until I return to campus in January!

Since I will have extra time on my hands (no studying!), I plan to have some fun. My friends from home and I are planning a ski trip to Lutsen Mountains in Duluth, and a week-long trip to California to visit a friend that goes to college at the University of San Diego! Since I will be graduating in May, I also plan get a start on the big job search. Other than that, I'm going to spend a lot of time at the outdoor ice rink with my little brother and just hang out with my family. 

I look forward to coming back for spring semester to share more stories with you about my busy, amazing life as a U of M student. Happy holidays and see you in January!

Many of you probably do not know that the University of Minnesota has a mortuary science department. In fact, the University's program was the first of its kind in nation when it began 100 years ago this month. Part of the medical school, the mortuary science program is the only one in the Big Ten and the only undergraduate collegiate program in the state of Minnesota. (It is offered as a bachelor of science.)

Students typically complete two years of prerequisite course work and start in the program during their junior year, completing two years of upper-division course work. Upon graduation, students will be well-prepared to complete the National Board Examination for the American Board of Funeral Service Education.

In honor of the program's 100-year anniversary, the Wangensteen Historical Library for Biology and Medicine is exhibiting some tools and artifacts detailing the history of the science. In addition to biochemistry, I studied the history of medicine, a minor offered in the History of Medicine Department. As a student in the department, I spent lots of time in the Wangensteen Library. This library houses a fascinating collection of historical books, artifacts and documents pertaining to medicine and biology.

If you've visited campus you may have noticed the various newspapers and magazines inside the doorways of many of our buidlings. Did you know that many of those publications are completely student run? Are you interested in getting involved in media? If so, check out these excellent opportunities to gain valuable experience in creative writing, editing, photography, design, and more:

The Minnesota Daily
The Minnesota Daily is one of the nation's largest student-run newspapers, and has the fourth-largest circulation of newspapers in Minnesota. Students in any major are able to find great opportunities to get valuable experience in journalism, advertising, and more for print and online media. The Daily keeps the University of Minnesota community informed on local and national news and provides a forum for students to voice their opinions or concerns. Almost all U of M students pick up a copy before their first class of the day!

The Ivory Tower
The Ivory Tower is a student-run literary and arts journal that accepts contributions from students accross the University in art, poetry, and short stories. The magazine is run by students who enroll in English Literature 3711, a year-long course. The magazine provides a platform for students to share their talents in art and the written word. It also provides the students who enroll in the class experience in editing, writing, and publishing.

The Wake:
The Wake is a student-run literary magazine that is printed every two weeks. The magazine provides students with opportunities to gain experience in art, business, journalism and editing.

The U of M has very robust campus media, and provides countless jobs and internships for students each year. If you're interested in writing, advertising, art, public relations, web development, or the business of publishing, be sure to check them out!

There are few things in life that I enjoy more than having a wonderful Christmas dinner with my family. For those of you from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area who are concerned with reducing your carbon footprint, you can buy locally grown cheeses and meet products right here on the St. Paul campus!

The Andrew Boss Lab of Meat Science,1354 Eckles Ave., houses both the Department of Food Science and Nutrition's Dairy Salesroom (open Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m.) and the Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Sciences' Meat Salesroom (open Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.).

The Dairy Salesroom (room 166) has four flavors of holiday ice cream: pumpkin pie, cinnamon, eggnog, and peppermint chip. It also sells award-winning cheeses, including aged white cheddar, gouda, and two kinds of blue cheese.

The Meat Salesroom (room 26) in the lower level, offers a variety of meats and gift boxes that include steaks and roasts, assorted sausages, and University of Minnesota honey, maple syrup, and some varieties of U of M apples (depending on availability).

Have a tasty holiday!

As a recent graduate of the University, one of the perks of college life that I miss most are the student discounts. As a student at the University, you can enjoy highly discounted events and activities around the Twin Cities. The Student Unions and Activities information desk offers a number of ways for students to save. 

Here's a list of some of my favorite places to go for student discounts:

Loring Pasta Bar: 30% off for Univeristy of Minnesota students
Minnesota Twins: Wednesday night is student discount night
Minnesota Timberwolves: Students get a $20 ticket for just $10
Metro Transit: University of Minnesota students can purchase a U-Pass for unlimited rides on any Metro Transit bus line or light rail for just $97 per semester.

These are just a handful of the discounts available to students. Others include Valleyfair amusement park tickets, movie passes, Science Museum of Minnesota admission, and Jefferson Lines bus tickets.

The U of M offers students great academics in a great location...and with these discounts, students can get out and enjoy the Twin Cities without breaking the bank!

I've written a lot about benefits of being a student at the U of M--undergraduate research, study abroad programs, career services, great opportunities in student groups---but one benefit that I haven't touched on yet is our faculty. Because of the University position as a top public research university, it attracts some phenomenal professors.

Marvin Marshak is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy as well as the director of undergraduate research. I always wanted to take a physics class with him, but his lectures never quite fit my schedule. I've heard great things about him from friends who have taken his classes. In addition to being an entertaining instructor, he makes time to play racquetball with students at the rec center!

Kent Kirkby, assistant professor of earth sciences, recently won a Distinguished Teaching Award. He is an engaging teacher who really bonds with his students. A former student said, "Kent embodies all the rare and wonderful characteristics one hopes to find in a professor. Had I taken my first class from him during my freshman or sophomore year, I would have pursued a geology minor."

These are just two examples of our amazing faculty, but there are many more. The College of Science and Engineering has 400 tenured and tenure-track faculty members who care greatly about their students.

Read more about our award-winning faculty!

Each fall, U of M mechanical engineering students participate in the largest robot show in the Twin Cities. The show is a culmination of their introductory design class (ME 2011). The final six weeks of these students' semesters are spent designing and building computer-controlled machines that "do something interesting" for no more than 60 seconds.

Students received a kit of parts and could supplement it with no more than $40 worth of additional materials. These design constraints are important because students need to learn how to be creative and deal with limitations to prepare them for their future careers.

At the end of the semester, a robot show is held in McNamara Alumni Center where students are judged by mechanical engineering faculty and graduate students, faculty from other departments, and professionals from industry. For complete information about the assignment, read the robot project website.

This year, I was able to attend the robot show. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was impressed by the number of visitors and robots on display.

Tables with robots took up two rooms in the alumni center! These robots can do useful things, like tie a shoe or make a sandwich, or they can be purely entertaining, like the robot playing a xylophone or golfing Goldy Gopher robot.

Here are some of my favorite robots from the show:

There is nothing better than the holiday season! On Monday, my sorority had its annual holiday party. We invited various people from the community and everyone dressed in red and green. We had a huge feast, a gift exchange, and sang carols. Even Santa showed up! (Well, a fraternity gentleman dressed as Santa.) It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, especially here in Minnesota with our snowy winter wonderland. There are so many great ways to enjoy the holiday season on the U of M campus and in the Twin Cities!

Holidazzle Parade
The parade has been happening since 1992 on the historic Nicollet Mall and takes place each weekend for a month before Christmas. It is a beautiful outdoor, sparkling night parade. This year's theme is "A Fairytale for All" and features various characters from all the classic fairytales. To learn more about the Holidazzle, visit http://www.holidazzle.com/. 

Skating
The Depot used to be a train station in downtown Minneapolis and now is home to a number of attractions including a restaurant, water park, and hotel. One of the most popular attractions at The Depot is their ice rink housed in the old train storage building. The rink is surrounded by windows with a view of the downtown skyline. And of course, there is a deal for college students: $2 on Thursdays!

Shopping
There's no better place to do your holiday shopping than at the biggest mall in the United States! Mall of America has over 400 stores and is just minutes away from the University of Minnesota campus. I will be heading there on Saturday to get all of my Christmas shopping done!

Sporting Events
The Twin Cities is a great place to live if you are a sports fan like me. Not only are there plenty of competitive sports to watch at the U of M, but also in the greater Twin Cities. I love going to professional sports games, especially during the winter to get out of the cold! It is the perfect time to go watch the Minnesota Wild NHL hockey team and the Minnesota Timberwolves NBS basketball team.

Theater and Dance
Did you know that the Twin Cities has the most theater seats per capita after New York City? There are so many great shows to attend here, especially during the holiday season. I would love to see the Minnesota Orchestra or Minnesota Chorale to hear some classic holiday tunes. My holiday season is never complete without seeing the Nutcracker Ballet, which is being performed at the State Theatre this year. Another great option would be the 36th anniversary of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater.

Outdoor Adventures
The Center of Outdoor Adventure (COA) at the University of Minnesota offers trips and clinics revolving around the great outdoors throughout the entire year. The COA provides plenty of opportunities for students to enjoy the outdoors during the winter including ski and snowboard trips. There are free Nordic ski trips for the entire month of December on the University's golf course. There is also a weekend trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow shoeing.

Did you know that the University of Minnesota is one of the most sustainable campus systems in the entire country? 

Committed to sustainable and energy efficiency, the University of Minnesota is a leader in sustainable developments throughout all of its campuses around the state. For instance, in 2009, the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium on the Twin Cities campus was awarded the LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the standard for sustainable design. The stadium actually incorporates innovative stormwater features that reuses that water from storms to hydrate the greenery surrounding the stadium then returns it to the Mississippi River.

In addition to sustainable facilities, the University of Minnesota's It All Adds Up campaign promotes sustainable initiatives throughout our community. According the campaign website, in 2010 the University reduced its energy consumption by five percent through pledges from students and faculty, saving the University $2.25 millions dollars and the atmosphere 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions!  

As a former biology student, environmental sustainability is something I try to practice in my daily life. Are you trying to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle as well? Check out these tips for individuals. Or, make an energy conservation pledge and help us better the environment!

On Friday, I thought it would be fun to go bowling, so I called a group of friends to get together at Goldy's Gameroom in the basement of Coffman Memorial Union (our student union). Goldy's Gameroom features:

• 11 pool tables
• 14-lane bowling alley
• Video game arcade
• Pinball
• Snack bar

Plus, Goldy's Gameroom is very wallet-friendly. On Friday, they provided free bowling shoes and the cost to bowl was just $3 per lane. Other deals include $2 Tuesdays, Bowl for a Buck Thursdays, and 25% off Sunday Fundays.

In addition, there are various events happening at Goldy's Gameroom throughout the year. There are game day events, galactic bowling nights, and free pizza nights. There is an event coming up soon in which students will have the opportunity to win merchandise and tickets to the premiere of "TRON: Legacy", a movie coming out in January.

Learn more about Goldy's Gameroom at http://www.coffman.umn.edu/goldys/.
 

Our group at Goldy's Gameroom 

Seventeen students from the University of Minnesota recently returned from "COP16," otherwise known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Among them were several students from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. This year, the conference was held this year in Cancun, Mexico. The U of M was one of just a handful of universities world-wide that sent undergraduate students to this important event. I was able to attend a public forum lead by the student participants this past Wednesday. It was great to see these U of M students talk so passionately about the life-changing experiences that they were able to take part in at the conference.

Our students wittnessed and even participated in a number of incredibly important conversations on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. Many of the students used this opportunity to network with some very important people from around the world, including delegates from Germany and Congo. One of our undergraduate U of M students, Andy Pearson, was actually interviewed about his visit by Minnesota Public Radio. Click here to listen to Andy chat with Tom Crann from MPR.

If you are an avid Golden Gopher football fan, you already know that the University has hired a new head football coach. Jerry Kill was hired to the position this past Sunday, and addressed media and fans on Monday, December 6, at a press conference at McNamara Alumni Center. Coach Kill brings a renewed excitement to the Gopher football program, which rebounded slightly under the direction of interim head coach Jeff Horton with two wins capping off the 2010 season. If you're like me, you're hoping to see the Gophers carry that momentum into next season!

When I was a student, Gopher football games were one of my favorite weekend activities. As a student at the University of Minnesota, not only will you have an excellent opportunity to experience the beginning of a new football regime, but you'll watch games in our beautiful TCF Bank Stadium. Student season ticket packages are affordably priced, and incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to purchase their seats as early as this summer. (Admitted students who confirm their enrollment to the University for next fall will receive information about tickets in the mail.)

Go Gophers!

Nikola Tesla was an inventor, a mechanical engineer, and an electrical engineer. His work and patents formed the foundation of alternating current (AC) electric power that we use today. He was a genius who created over 700 patents.

The Nikola Tesla Patent Producers (NTP^2) is a College of Science and Engineering student group dedicated to researching and building Nikola Tesla's patents and experiments. On Friday, December 10, this student group invited all CSE students and physics enthusiasts to help them build a Tesla Coil.

A Tesla coil is a type of resonant transformer circuit invented by Nikola Tesla. It produces high voltage and high frequency alternating current electricity. Tesla used these coils in many of his experiments in electrical lighting, phosphorescence, electrotherapy, and the transmission of electrical energy without wires.

They can also be used to play music!

It is almost the end of the semester, and that means that there's just one thing on my mind: final exams. Next Thursday is a designated study day for all University students, and then tests begin! Students are packing their bags full of books and heading to their favorite spots on campus to study. I have one final test, but many final projects and papers. 

At my sorority house, we have 22 quiet hours each day during finals week. We can have conversations on the main floor for an hour at lunch and at dinner, and other than that it's pure silence--which is exactly what I need for a productive study-a-thon. Our house mother is a doll and makes us delicious study snacks, such as spinach dip or nachos. When I am not at the house, I study at a variety of different places around campus. I like to switch locations every so often to keep my concentration and avoid falling asleep! Some of my favorite places to study are:

Walter Library
Walter Library is one of the most popular and largest libraries on campus. There are three main floors and two sub-basement levels. During finals week, the library stays open 24 hours a day. There is a coffee shop in the basement where you can get a huge cup of joe before diving into the books.

Rapson Hall
Rapson Hall is home to most architecture and design classes. I like to study in the Rapson Atrium. When I need a study break, I take a walk around and look at the architecture models and artwork on display.

Eric Sevareid Library
The Eric Sevareid Library is housed in Murphy Hall, home to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It is home to the digital media studio, where students have access to state-of-the-art computers and equipment for graphic design and video editing. This semester I spent so much time in the library working on media graphics projects, that sometimes I feel like I live there!

Purple Onion Cafe
The Purple Onion Cafe is located in Dinkytown, a neighborhood just across the street from campus. Its cozy atmosphere and many seating options makes it the perfect place to do group projects or study with a friend. I always enjoy the comfortable chairs and delicious food!

Magrath Library
Every Sunday, I drive over to the St. Paul campus to do homework at Magrath Library. I go there when I need to get some serious work done. This huge library is always super quiet and has many different places to study. And, I love the free parking on Sundays.

With so many great study options and a whole lot of coffee, I'll be ready to ace all of my projects and exams!

The Department of Forest Resources is one of my favorite departments in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. They have a very tight knit group of students that participate in a number of activities throughout the year. For example, each year, the Forestry Club sells Christmas trees. Currently, the club is selling balsam fir, fraser fir, scotch pine, white pine, and spruce trees. Along with the trees, they are selling garland, wreaths, and even maple syrup! (If you live in the area and would like to purchase a tree, check out this flyer for more information about the sale!)

Forest Resources is a wonderful major offered here at the University. Students in this major receive hands-on learning experiences concentrating on forest and related resource management, with a focus on conservation issues and strategies.

Graduates pursue careers as forest managers and conservationists or provide specialized expertise for resource management organizations. Principal employers are federal and state forestry, wildlife, parks and related agencies; forest products companies; and nongovernmental conservation organizations.

Forest Resource students get to take advantage of some of the best learning resources that a University can offer. The department has their own 3,506 acre research and learning center in Cloquet, Minn., where students spend two summer sessions getting field training in assessment and the biology of forests. 

Image courtesy of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

I've written previously about the U of M's research in renewable energy, including wind energy. There are a lot of amazing professors here working on the problem of storing and transmitting wind energy. But when these professors retire, we need more bright minds to continue searching for new ways to tap renewable energy sources.

The U of M recently received a grant to offer coursework for undergraduate and graduate students intended to educate them to become the next generation of renewable energy experts. Ned Mohan, an electrical engineering professor here at the U of M, said, "The main objective [of the grant] is to spread the curriculum we have developed over the last 10 years."  The U of M will be spreading its curriculum to almost 100 schools.

We currently offer undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering which include curriculum emphasizing renewable energy. The objective of EE 5940: Wind Energy Essentials, a course offered this semester, is "to familiarize students with various essential aspects in harnessing wind energy and its conversion and delivery as electricity."

In addition to developing curriculum to teach the next generation of researchers, Dr. Mohan is also researching what he calls the "next-generation grid" to transmit wind power across the entire country. Dr. Mohan says that there is enough wind power in North Dakota and South Dakota alone to supply half the electricity needs of our country.

Even first-year students can incorporate sustainability and renewable energy coursework into their class schedules. There is a freshman seminar being offered this semester through the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department called Sustainable Housing: Community, Technology, and Environment (BBE 1906W). In this class, students "examine some of the basic principles and guidelines that are critical to designing, building and owning an energy-efficient and sustainable home."

The U of M is dedicated to ensuring that today's great minds do everything possible to prepare tomorrow's great minds to tackle the issues of of renewable energy. As a student here, you can be part of this forward-thinking, cutting-edge culture!

Xiaoxiao Lou was in your shoes just a few years ago: sorting through myriad options for college and beyond. Here's a little bit about Xiaoxiao and why she chose the U of M...

Name: Xiaoying Lou (Xiaoxiao)

Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota; Attended Apple Valley High School

Major: Biochemistry

Minor: Philosophy

Year in School: College senior, graduating in May 2011

Why Xiaoxiao chose the U of M:

"Like many of you, I dreamed of attending a big name, East Coast undergraduate institution in high school, and I actually had a very difficult time deciding between MIT and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Ultimately, I chose the U of M because of its fantastic research and extracurricular opportunities, its unparalleled facilities and resources, and its amazing merit scholarships. The U of M is truly the best deal out there - it provides all the rigor and opportunities of other top-ranked undergraduate institutions but at a fraction of the cost. I truly believe the quality of education I've received at the U of M is unmatched; I've never regretted my decision to attend the U of M!"

Highlight of her U of M experience so far:

"I've had so many rewarding experiences at the U of M! From my leadership experiences as president of the College of Biological Sciences Student Board and the Biological Sciences Research Club, to my volunteer experiences both abroad and in the local community of Minneapolis, to my extensive research experiences, which include both clinical research in heart transplantation and bench science research in Biochemistry, I've been able to take full advantage of the breadth and depth of opportunities at the U of M. And the faculty on campus are incredibly talented and passionate; it is through their support and guidance that I was named a 2010 Goldwater Scholar. As I look forward to graduation this spring, I feel fully prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead in medical school next year!"

Xiaoxiao's advice to high school seniors:

"As I recall, senior year of high school is an incredibly busy and stressful time, both in terms of completing college applications and making the big decision of where you want to spend the next four years! (I can relate; I'm going through the same process again as I apply to medical schools.) Wherever you end up (and I hope you choose the U of M!), I hope you remember to enjoy the process. You'll have some of the best experiences of your life in the next four years; you'll also be challenged in more ways than you can imagine, and you'll grow in more ways than you thought possible. Get involved, and explore your passions! I wish you all the best of luck in the year ahead!"

Although our days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder, there are still a lot of heart-warming activities going on in Minneapolis during the winter season. Just a 10-minute bus ride from the heart of campus is Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis's shopping and dining district, where the City of Minneapolis hosts the Holidazzle Parade. Going on 19 years strong, the Holidazzle is a brilliant display of favorite storybook characters brought to life in sparkling costumes. 

This wonderful Twin Cities tradition is brought to us by several Twin Cities-based companies and organizations. Starting November 26th and going through December 18th, the parade lights up Nicollet Avenue between 12th and 4th street, Thursday through Sunday starting at 6:30 pm.

Grab some friends, go see the parade, and spend the evening walking the warm skyways connecting the stores and restaurants of Nicollet Mall. If you have time, head up to the 8th floor of Macy's department store to see their annual holiday display, "A Day in the Life of an Elf," which tells the story of Santa's little helpers getting ready for the holiday season in the North Pole. 

An evening in Minneapolis viewing the Holidazzle Parade and Macy's holiday display is a wonderful way to spend a wintery evening! (And it's totally free!)

Right now, sixteen U of M students are attending the UN Climate Change Conference negotiations in Cancun, Mexico. They are official observers of negotiations by world leaders who are working toward long-term action to address climate change. Beth Mercer-Taylor, coordinator of the sustainability studies minor at the U of M said, "By being immersed in the negotiations, these students will gain a better understanding of the impacts of climate change, learn about laws and policies relating to climate change, and have a chance to analyze the intersection of local, national and international carbon policies and negotiations."

In fact, seven of these students are pursuing a sustainability studies minor here. They are all enrolled in a climate change policy course co-taught by state Senator Ellen Anderson, chair of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division Committee, and state Rep. Kate Knuth, who was part of a delegation attending the 2009 climate talks in Copenhagen.

These students represent a wide variety of majors, from civil engineering and conservation biology to landscape architecture and political science, and represent six different colleges at the U of M. During the conference, they are keeping a blog of their experiences. Check it out!

On December 9, the student delegation will host a public forum to share and discuss their experiences. It will from 3-4 p.m. at the Institute on the Environment in 380 VoTech Building on the U of M's St. Paul campus. It is free and open to the public!