“WeatherWise”: A kit for Girl Scouts to learn about weather and careers in the atmospheric sciences

WeatherWise is a four-part kit designed to teach the basics of weather, weather instrumentation, and atmospheric science careers to Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts (ages 8-14). The kit provides a one-stop resource for troop leaders, describing activities that can lead to a STEM patch, a “Weather Watch” badge (Juniors), and a “Why in the World?” interest project award (Cadettes). Part I of the kit introduces the concepts of pressure, temperature, and cloud formation, primarily through hands-on and kinesthetic activities. Part II of the kit includes a movie of a female scientist launching a radiosonde attached to a weather balloon; the film also provides information about four women with careers in science-related professions. Part III teaches about weather maps, including a unique section that offers a historical perspective on their drawing. Part IV of the kit is the most advanced—it is designed to awaken scientific curiosity through loosely guided research projects. In this talk we will present the highlights of the kit, and discuss the results of the pilot test within the Mile Hi Girl Scout Council.