Extended Abstract (156K)1.1
Weather Investigators of Northeast–Louisiana (WIN-LA!)
Paul J. Croft, University of Louisiana, Monroe, LA; and L. LeBlanc
Weather Investigators of Northeast-Louisiana (WIN-LA), a one week summer camp for “at-risk” 7th grade students funded by the Louisiana GEARUP program, was held in July at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). The residential weather camp focused on the study and analysis of weather as an integrator of math and science through the use of select SkyMath materials (available from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research web site). With assistance from the ULM Delta RSI Office and a ULM mathematics faculty member, SkyMath materials were related to the Louisiana K-8 Mathematics Proficiency Core, particularly the benchmarks for Data and Reasoning. Two teachers and two meteorology majors also participated in order to provide assistance, counseling, and peer support during their on-campus stay. Five groups of students focused on one of several “target user” audiences to apply concepts, investigation, and reasoning skills based on content and activities. Activities included cross-disciplinary investigation and inquiry using weather instruments and examining the occurrence of summer thunderstorms in Louisiana and the Gulf Coastal States region. These required the direct use and integration of technology to gain basic insight to the workings of the atmosphere in order to plan, develop, and implement an observational plan for experimentation. In addition, participants were given opportunities with various ULM Offices (recruitment, student affairs) and resources (career center, library, activities center). Assessment and follow-up activities consist of school visits during the academic year by the project director to institute weather activities, through science and math, across the curriculum at their schools.
Session 1, K-12 and Popular initiatives (Room 615/616)
Monday, 12 January 2004, 9:00 AM-1:30 PM, Room 615/616
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