Unclouding The Issue

Once upon a time weather was taught as rote. Teachers taught disjointed facts and students were supposed to memorize these and demonstrate knowledge through multiple choice tests. That was then; now, new terminology such as alternative assessment, hands-on learning, and multi-disciplinary studies permeates the educational landscape. And weathercasters, lacking educational training, need to learn and understand these new rules as they journey forth into educational circles to outreach to viewers young and old using both new and old technology.

This session will incorporate a brief description of the current educational topography and then provide weathercasters numerous opportunities to try their hand at navigating through it. We'll target larger audiences (as this conference is) spanning grades 3 - 8, the more typical audience for weathercasters, as we present a typical assembly style program. Since storms and clouds seem to be major topics in weather study, participants will, via participatory activities….

-- create a sky inventory and use this to show how sky study can transcend many curriculum areas -- examine certain aspects of clouds (e.g., colors, shapes, patterns) and use these to create a cloud categorization system -- branch into weather-related optical phenomena (e.g., halos, sun dogs, crepuscular rays, rainbows) -- compare clouds seen on the ground to clouds seen from weather satellites -- examine the electromagnetic spectrum from a lifestyle perspective -- use wave study concepts to show how Doppler radar and weather satellites work -- create storms (on several scales) and jet streams and use these to study how wind patterns operate -- use creative movement to demonstrate storm circulations, winds, and damage patterns

Because computer-based weather resources have mushroomed, we'll be sure to demonstrate ways of using weathercasters web pages and desktop software programs to enhance math, geography, technology, and other curriculum areas.

Weather permitting, we'll take participants outside briefly to see how to integrate shadows (e.g., Groundhog Day), UV concepts, and general sky awareness into a program for a smaller audience.