1.4
Inquiry-based Weather Lessons Utilizing Real-Time Data
Christopher Duvall, Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ; and M. Holzer
Inquiry-based learning has gained popularity among educators over the past decade as a favored method for introducing students to new concepts through exploratory activities using visual applications and online data. Inquiry-based lessons can be used to introduce or summarize broad topics in science in a short amount of time, while also educating students how to utilize their knowledge in "real world" situations. The growing number of schools with internet access has allowed more educators the opportunity to incorporate online data as part of their curriculum. The increasing wealth of free, online weather data has warranted the development of educational tools, lessons, and programs with a focus on training science educators and their students to utilize weather data in a scientific manner.
Scientists and educators need to develop innovative ways to work together to create a more effective learning environment for students that harnesses the power of the Internet. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey's EARTHSTORM program and the University of Illinois' WW2010 project are two examples of programs designed to aid educators in developing weather lessons using online data. Both programs were used as models for an inquiry-based weather lesson and online case study presented to Chatham High School, New Jersey science students by the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist. The case studies were designed to provide the means for assessment of temperature data collected by the students themselves before class.
Session 1, K–12 Educational Initiatives (Part I)
Monday, 15 January 2001, 8:15 AM-10:00 AM
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