Fourth International Conference on School and Popular Meteorological and Oceanographic Education
by Michael J. Passow Earth Science Correspondent
Cosponsored by the Royal Meteorological Society, American Meteorological Society, and World Meteorological Organization, the Fourth International Conference on School and Popular Meteorological and Oceanographic Education, in Edinburgh, Scotland, 22-26 July 1996, included oral presentations, workshops, demonstrations, and poster sessions by educators from more than twenty countries. Like its predecessors in Toronto (1993) (page 6, Fall 1993 issue), Crystal City, VA (1989), and Oxford (1984), it presented the opportunity for people from around the world to share ideas about teaching weather, oceanography, and related topics.
Because of his important role during discussions about inclusion of the earth sciences in the National Science Education Standards, it was fitting that John Snow, Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Geosciences, presented the opening address, "Promoting the Teaching of Science: the Role for Atmospheric Science." The plenary address at the second day's sessions was presented by Charles N. Duncan of the University of Edinburgh on "Multimedia Technology: Can we live with it? Can we live without it?" To open the third day David R. Smith of the U.S. Naval Academy presented an overview of "Precollege Educational Outreach Programs in the Marine Sciences."
One clear point from the presentations is that National Science Foundation sponsorship has put American education programs in a flagship position. The American Meteorological Society's Project Atmosphere and Maury Project not only were the envy of educators from other nations but also provided support for several K-12 teachers to attend the Conference and present workshops and talks. In addition, representatives from Project Atmosphere Australia described what's being done "Down Under," in addition to their e-mail connections to American classrooms.
Other American initiatives that received great attention include some which are internationally-oriented, such as the GLOBE (Globe Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Project; some which are nationally-oriented, including some National Weather Service and other government outreach programs; some which are focused on particular states, such as the Oklahoma Mesonet's "Earthstorm" program and Florida EXPLORES; and some with a local emphasis.
Much is going on in other countries as well, and one point that came through clearly is that there is no one way to educate students about the environment. John McClatchey described the role of meteorology in the recently-revised National Curriculum n ow directing education in England and Wales. Interesting presentations were also given about teaching meteorology and oceanography in such other nations as Venezuela, Kenya, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Norway.
Many of these involve more of a field-oriented approach than most American programs. For example, Pal Hansen described the government-sponsored "leirskole" program in Norway. Students travel to one of the 53 special "camps" in mountain or coastal regions for up to a week to increase their knowledge and respect for the environment. They learn the meaning of the Norwegian proverb, "We do not have bad weather -- only inappropriate clothing."
Students from James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh presented a poster session about their investigation of meteorological variables within glacier fields in Norway. This project involved sophisticated field research in a remote region. It was carried out together with students from State College Area High School in Pennsylvania and provided an unforgettable experience promoting international understanding. The Gillespie students also assisted the Conference hosts and were especially helpful in teaching Americans how to do the Scottish dances during the Ceilidh celebration! Plans are being made to bring some of the students from James Gillespie's High School to the next American Meteorological Society Meeting in Long Beach, CA, in February 1997. (See box below for the need for financial assistance.)
Many of the sessions dealt with new educational applications of technology. In addition to presentations about many computer- and satellite-based programs in the United States, Conference participants could learn about such programs as EuroMET, the Eu ropean Meteorology Education and Training project involving 22 collaborating organizations. Another interesting presentation described OLIA, a computer-based "devil's advocate" tutorial for teaching students about such controversial topics as changes in g lobal temperatures. Also in this theme was Edward Ratigan's description of WEFAX/APT satellite imagery and amateur radio in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which consists of 32 low-lying atolls located 2100 nautical miles southwest of the Hawaiian Islands. This program also includes cooperation with the University of Maryland's Kwajalein campus.
For those interested in further details of these and the other presentations, the proceedings volume is available from the Royal Meteorological Society (RMS), 104 Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7LL, United Kingdom, The RMS also has a variety of other educat ional materials available for purchase.
Planning for a Fifth International Conference has begun, and more information will be provided as it becomes available. In the meantime, some of the themes will be explored further at the Sixth Symposium on Education held in connection with the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting, 2-7 February 1997, in Long Beach, CA (see Calendar).
HELP NEEDED!
Plans are being made to bring some of the students from James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh to the next American Meteorological Society Meeting in Long Beach, CA, in February 1997.
If anyone knows of sources for financial support for these students, please contact George G. Meldrum at "jghsgeog@tattoo.ed.ac.uk".
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