Undergraduates Providing Weather Activities for Research and Development of Skills at Kean University (UPWARDS at Kean!)

The Kean University undergraduate Meteorology Program, within the Department of Geology and Meteorology, provides a variety of outreach and professional development opportunities. These include activities for K-12 audiences (e.g., Upward Bound), teacher training and professional development (NJESTA), and undergraduate students (Epsilon Corps). During 2004 and 2005 several programs were offered including “What's with the Weather?” for high school students, “Phenology – Nature's Measure of Climate and Climate Change” for teachers, and “Observing the Geosphere – Weather Conditions in time and space” for new undergraduate students about to begin their college education. Each of these programs considered the atmosphere and weather (or climate) with regard to exploration of scientific principles, measurement and interpretation of the atmosphere, and the use of these to assess and explain the characteristics and behaviors of weather and climate systems or simply the application of science and technology. The components of each of these and their outcomes, particularly for application to real situations, are considered with regard to the enhancement of learning and outreach activities of the Department for a variety of K-12 and public initiatives. These are also providing for the development of professional partnerships and skills for both the undergraduate student majors and the faculty at Kean University to enhance all research and outreach activities.