EAT, DRINK & LEARN

2023-2024 Speaker Series

Join us for an evening of delicious food and drink, great company, and an engaging presentation!

Thursday, May 16: Pitcher Plants & Pinot

Carnivorous Plants and How to Grow Them

Explore the fascinating world of Carnivorous Plants with award winning horticulturalist Michael Szesze, as he shares his 50 years of experience growing these curious plants. Learn about the different types of carnivorous plants and their unique habitats. Learn how to successfully grow and cultivate some of the world’s most unique plants.

Michael Szesze is a retired, award-winning science teacher of 32 years. His accolades include the Maryland Science Teacher of the Year, the Maryland Alternate to the NASA Teacher-In-Space Project, and the National Science Foundation VIP-Outstanding Physics Teacher. He was a Park Ranger and Teacher in Grand Canyon National Park, and the Director of Arthur Storer Planetarium in Prince Frederick, Maryland. He has served as District Level Science Supervisor in Stamford, Connecticut, and Montgomery County Maryland, Co-Investigator for several National Science Foundation Research Grants, and Branch Chief for Mathematics and Science for the Department of Defense Education Activity worldwide. He was a Founding Father of the Chesapeake Area Killifish Society, and the Mid-Atlantic Carnivorous Plant Society, for which he serves as Society Curator. Michael's love and enthusiasm for science has inspired thousands of students and teachers alike in his classes, workshops, conference presentations and seminars. Michael's insight into excellence in teaching and learning express themselves in the high-quality educational materials he has developed. These materials help students explore the fascinating world of carnivorous plants as well as develop experiences with inquiry science. He has been raising carnivorous plants since childhood and is an accomplished photographer.  Michael is currently enjoying his love of carnivorous plants as the owner and operator of Carnivorous Plant Nursery, in Smithsburg, Maryland. 

Time: 6:30-9:00 PM

Location: Irvine Nature Center

Price: $55 Members (Pacesetter Level or above) / $65 Non-Members