AN ONLINE WEATHER STUDIES EXPERIENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH GAMEP PROGRAM AT Dillard University DURING Spring 2005

The Physics and Pre-Engineering Department at Dillard University participated in the National Science Foundation sponsored American Meteorological Society's (AMS) Online Weather Studies (OWS) Diversity Program during the summer of 2004 and participated on OWS during the Spring of 2005. Dillard University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with a student population comprised of approximately 98% African Americans and 87% female. The course is taught through a combination of classroom lectures and online study using real-time weather data. This course format replaces the more traditional lecture-only format. The classroom component consists of presenting the general physical principles associated with meteorology. This course serves as a technical elective for non-science majors and a degree requirement for Sciences majors who elect to join the GAMEP program at LSU. The Geoscience Alliance to Enhance Minority Participation program seeks to provide opportunities for under-represented ethnic minorities to become more aware of the role and importance of geoscience in society and the rewards and challenges of a career in the science. The program is administered by faculty in the LSU Department of Geology & Geophysics in collaboration with key scientists at nine minority serving institutions to provide a unique foundation in physical and historical geology for African American and Hispanic students.