Outcomes and Applications: Third American Meteorological Society Climate Studies Diversity Project Workshop at University of the Incarnate Word

The Third AMS/NSF OEDG Climate Studies Diversity Project Workshop was held during May of 2014 in Washington, DC. The program was aimed at attracting under-served students to enroll in introductory-level geoscience courses, using the current interest in climate change. Having just completed teaching an undergraduate level climatology course using the AMS Climate Studies text, the interest and controversy of such a course was very apparent.

Undergraduate students have opinions that reflect the community in general, everywhere from activism for change, and preservation and enhancement of the environment, to disbelief that climate change is occurring. Whether it is the chances for climate change in Texas or the advance planning of the Department of Defense for climate change impacts, the local and national debate is well underway. This workshop presented several scientific and practical explorations of climate change and its impacts on the world. The key to these explorations is open access to the scientific analysis and data. The formulation of the AMS Climate Studies course approach emphasizes this access. One of the goals of higher education is to promote critical thinking as part of the decision making process. After a review of the data and analyses, it is ultimately the critical thinking and discernment by each student which formulates their opinions. Access to data and analyses on important problems facing our communities, such as climate change and climate change preparedness is the key to informed decision making.

This poster will outline how information presented at the workshop and resources made available through the AMS Climate Studies program will enhance the Climatology course when it is again offered in the Spring Semester at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). The poster will address on-line exercises geared to current meteorological events to sharpen the students understanding of meteorological processes, and access to data resources that will allow them to examine for themselves the changes occurring in our environment. The resultant revamping of the presentation approach in the classroom at UIW to enhance scientific climatology foundations, and encourage student critical thinking will be presented.