CIMSS Educational Outreach Activities: Summer 2008
Luke Schiferl, Steve Ackerman and Margaret Mooney
Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS)
Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC)
University of Wisconsin-Madison
High School Summer Workshop on
Atmospheric, Earth and Space Sciences
The High School Summer Workshop on Atmospheric, Earth and Space Sciences has
been organized and hosted by CIMSS since 1991. This 4-day program for pre-college
students is filled with hands-on activities in meteorology, geology, astronomy and
remote sensing.
Participants have the opportunity to work directly with scientists, graduate students,
professors and emerging technologies to observe and study the earth. By highlighting
the facilities available to these prospective Badgers, the workshop builds interest in the
University of Wisconsin-Madison as a possible choice for their education.
The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison is a cutting-edge research institution developing remote
sensing technologies and applications, while actively encouraging weather and
climate education in both formal and informal settings.
By developing and facilitating educational outreach programs, CIMSS is able to
build the interest of students fascinated by the earth's weather and climate
systems. Through time, this curiosity often leads to the pursuit of a remote sensing
or other meteorology related higher-education and subsequent career.
Grandparents University®
Meteorology Major
By facilitating a section, the Meteorology Major, of Grandparents University®, an
outreach program developed by the Wisconsin Alumni Association and UW Extension,
CIMSS is able to bring together grandparents, often UW-Madison Alumni, and their
elementary school-aged grandchildren under the common interest of meteorology. This
program promotes the cross-generational fascination with weather and the earth, and
through it grandparents can help spark further scientific inquiry in their grandchildren.
Teacher Workshop on
Geoscience Time Scales and Global Climate Change
The Teacher Workshop on Geoscience Time Scales & Global Climate Change is
aimed at providing high school science teachers with the preparation and knowledge
they need to further educate and inspire their students with regards to current
technologies and understanding related to remote sensing and climate change.
CIMSS has offered workshops for high school science teachers on numerous related
topics since 2003.
Students prepare for a journey onto Lake Mendota to learn
about lake sediments and geology.
Researcher Tom Whittaker guides the students in the use
of educational meteorology applets available online.
Professor Norlene Emerson discusses the formation of the
Baraboo Syncline as evidenced through this outcropping.
Participants experience one process by which scientists
collect accurate data for use in their studies.
Professor Steve Ackerman discusses the importance
of remote sensing and climate education for both
professional and personal development.
CIMSS scientists help participants use McIDAS to visualize
satellite images and other earth observations.
Grandparents and grandchildren work together to construct
model satellites (above) and anemometers (right).
CIMSS scientists relay current research information and
insights to high school teachers for use in their own classrooms.
Undergraduate Megan Evansen leads the group in the
launching of a radiosonde from the building’s roof.
The workshop stresses the importance of collaboration
to solve problems and develop strong partnerships.
Undergraduate Jordan Gerth leads a tour of the observation
instruments at the National Weather Service office in Sullivan.
Researcher Dave Turner explains the development and
testing of the rooftop LIDAR.
Increasing interest in the Grandparents University® program
created the need for two Meteorology Major sessions in 2008.
The 2008 workshop attracted 28 high school science
teachers from throughout Wisconsin.
Agenda Highlights
Sunday:
Introduction Activities
Bowling/Recreation at Campus Union
Monday:
Introduction to Earth System Science
3D Weather Globe Presentation
Geology Museum Tour
McIDAS Session with CIMSS Scientists
Plotting/Contouring Weather Information
Agenda Highlights
Wednesday:
University Planetarium
Dredging of Lake Mendota
Climate Change Discussion
Tropical Weather
Concerts on the Square
Thursday:
Tuesday:
Geology Trip to Devil’s Lake State Park
Introduction to Satellite Meteorology
& Baraboo Syncline at Rock Springs
Tour of Channel 27 TV and Weather Central
Numerical Weather Prediction Overview
GIS and Terrestrial Remote Sensing
Tour of National Weather Service, Milwaukee/Sullivan
Day 1:
Weather and Climate Overview and Discussion
Geologic Time Scales and Paleoclimate Presentation
Day 2:
Global Climate Change Presentation
IPCC Probability Activity
Milankovitch/Vostok Ice Core Educational Applet
Hurricane Seasons and Sea Surface Temperatures with Google Earth
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/education
Agenda Highlights
Day 1:
Weather Phenomenon Overview
Hands-on Anemometer Creation Activity
Rooftop Instruments & Weather Balloon Launch
Antarctic Weather Presentation
Suomi Science Museum 3D Weather Globe
Day 2:
Electromagnetic Spectrum & Solar Beads Activity
Rooftop ID of Landmarks from Satellite Images
Hands-on Satellite Model Activity
Exploring the Atmosphere via Computer Activities
Q&A with The Weather Guys – Steve Ackerman and Jon Martin
Grandparents University® developed by: