Enhancing Math and Science Education Through Project Atmosphere's Severe Weather Module (Centre Greene Building 1, Cafeteria)

Enhancing Math and Science Education Through AMS Project Atmosphere's Severe Weather Module

William R. Huskin Central Bucks School District Doylestown, PA email: whuskin@cbsd.org

Math and Science Education can be enhanced through a better understanding of severe weather cyclones. Using the American Meteorological Society's Project Atmosphere Module, Hazardous Weather, teachers can improve their basic understanding of tornadoes, enabling them to better guide their students' comprehension. The northern hemisphere's spring season in the United States has experienced a three year average of 1455 tornadoes, causing a three year average of 45 deaths per year from 2003 through 2005 (NOAA). Often the major source of emergency preparedness information has been the classroom teacher.

Teachers can be more effective if they are better prepared. AMS seeks to improve that preparedness thorough its education initiatives such as DataStreme Atmosphere and Water In The Earth System, both online distance-learning courses, as well as others.

Teachers and the public now have access to up-to-the-minute meteorological information, including radar graphics and satellite imagery. By better teacher preparation, the public is better informed and prepared to cope with such natural disasters.

This module explores the structure of a tornado, its movement, average speed and direction of travel. Teachers will also be able to list appropriate life-saving actions to take if a tornado threatens.