News

Congratulations are extended to Mr. Chris Nelson, the 2014 recipient of the Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture Technician Award for Teaching Excellence from the Department of Engineering.

Mr. Nelson provides classroom and lab instruction for many courses in the Engineering department and is well-known for providing an interesting, hands-on learning experience for his students. He believes in giving students an opportunity to engage with the material and each other in a dynamic learning environment.

His approach to teaching involves providing the support students need to develop their own problem-solving skills. As one student noted: “There were times when Chris wouldn’t tell you exactly how to do a task, but rather give you options and let you learn on your own how to complete the task.” He has a special talent for using labs to link lectures to real-life examples in a way that makes the material come alive for his students.

Mr. Nelson has a holistic approach to teaching that helps students learn and grow both in and out of the classroom. He provides support to students working on research projects and regularly meets with students to discuss his courses, as well as provide advice and guidance on other issues.

His goal is to help students develop new skills and to instill in them the passion he has for his subject. His hands-on approach helps students develop confidence and he notes that he finds it very rewarding to help students who are initially apprehensive about trying something outside their comfort zone become self-assured practitioners.