P1.30
Personal Forecasting: A Compacted Course in Meteorology for Non-Traditional Non-Science Students
PAPER WITHDRAWN
Bruce G. Smith, University of Wisconsin Colleges, Appleton, WI
All people are all experienced practical meteorologists. They can't help it. Every time they look out the window or gaze skyward in order to make a decision about how to dress or conduct their day, they are applying their experience about meteorology. The author will present the course design for a meteorology course offered through Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. The course is presented in a compacted format with nine, four hour course meetings over a seven week period. The course participants are primarily adult, non-traditional students in the business and criminal justice programs. This clientele and course format poses unique challenges for offering relevant, approachable meteorology content. The course draws upon the tremendous explosion of weather information and data available to the general public and trains students how to process this data and use it to make better weather related decisions. Information and content is drawn from materials available through the National Weather Service, the University of Wisconsin WeatherWise training applets, and the American Meteorological Society Education Program. The purpose of the course is to refine and expand the students' knowledge of the sea of air we all live in. The course explores the interactions within the atmosphere and its' interactions with other parts of the Earth system. The intent of this course is to allow students to become their own personal meteorologist and able to prepare personal forecasts. A final project allows students to apply this ability to a practical problem related to their job or personal life. The explanation of the project assignment follows along with samples of possible projects. PHS 111 Introduction to Meteorology Marian University Fond du lac Weather Problem Project Each student is to define a specific weather-based issue related to their personal or professional life. They will then develop a presentation which defines the problem and identifies the resources needed to make decisions to address the problem. The presentation can be made in the form of a Power Point presentation, overhead, poster, demonstration, or any other appropriate medium. Presentations should be approximately 10-15 minutes. These will be presented during one of the last two sessions of the course. A one-page, word-processed summary of the project is to be submitted to the instructor at the time of the presentation. Sample Problem 1: I run a landscaping business. I have four three-person crews working for me. I send them out to jobs sites on a daily basis. We communicate via cell phone. Weather Related Issues 1. Worker welfare and safety a. Heat index/Wind Chill b. Rain/snow c. Lightning/Severe weather 2. Business decisions a. Which sites have jobs limited by weather conditions? b. Wet ground/seeding/tree planting 3. Obtaining weather information a. What sources will provide the weather information needed? 4. Communications a. How will I keep workers informed? 5. What training will I give workers related to weather decisions? Sample Problem 2: I am in charge of a large regional soccer tournament being held in my town. Games are being held at several sites miles apart. The tournament will be held over two weekends in mid-summer. Weather Related Issues 1. Player/coach/players/worker safety a. Heat index b. Sunburn c. Lightning/Severe weather 2. Planning a. How will officials & coaches be trained and /or briefed? b. What are potential weather conditions for the time period? c. Are sufficient shelters available? 3. Obtaining weather information a. What sources will provide the weather information needed? 4. Communications a. How will officials, coaches & players be kept informed? b. What are criteria for canceling or postponing games?
Poster Session 1, Educational Initiatives Poster Session
Monday, 12 January 2009, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Hall 5
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