This presentation will focus on the establishment of an emerging collaborative atmospheric science education partnership between the AMS DataStreme Project, The GLOBE Program, The National Weather Service, and KYW TV 3 in Philadelphia, PA.
The AMS DataStreme Project is implemented on the local level nation wide through the establishment of Local Implementation Teams (LITs). One such LIT has operated for two years in the Delaware Valley or greater Philadelphia area. Having reviewed feedback from the course participants, there exists a strong desire to continue to grow professionally, and focus on common educational goals. In response, the LIT examined possibilities of engaging students and teachers in an exciting project that also fosters and promotes continued professional development, and brings the role of weather education/awareness and forecast meteorology to the public's attention through the "KYW WeatherWatcher Program".
Previously the following programs operated independent of each other: The AMS DataStreme Project, NWS Outreach Education, and the GLOBE Program Teacher Training. It was quickly realized that teachers who have completed the DataStreme Course, and those teachers conducting the GLOBE Program in their schools, were looking for projects that engaged their students with high visibility. The NWS Outreach Program operates from direct contact by the schools to the NWSFO, requesting visits to their schools. It was learned that through collaboration, each of the projects could be enhanced creating a national model for atmospheric science education on the K-12 level.
The results are as follows, it was found that teachers who request educational outreach programs from the NWS are highly motivated teachers, perfect candidates for the AMS DataStreme Course. The DataStreme Course in return, has provided a higher level of professional development in the content area then most teachers have previously experienced. At the same time, hundred of teachers are completing GLOBE Teacher training at West Chester University, and bringing scientific protocols, and cutting edge technology into classrooms throughout the Delaware Valley, but all of these were some how disconnected. With the high visibility of the Evening News broadcast, these students and teachers have the opportunity to contribute data and other observations to be used in the broadcast, and receive the recognition that is desired by having their schools mentioned as part of the Weather segment of the broadcast. KYW TV 3 has made a commitment to education by requiring that teachers complete the teacher enhancement programs before they can become part of the WeatherWatchers Project. AMS DataStreme participants have been introduced to the GLOBE Program, and vice versa, resulting in expanding the knowledge of the teachers and their students, and with the media effect, more schools have requested educational outreach programs from the NWSFO