Hazardous Weather Conference for Educators
Randolph, NJ, High School, 9 March 1996by Michael J. Passow
Earth Science CorrespondentWhat do you get when you combine demonstrations for hands-on classroom activities by master teachers with explanations of how government agencies and private companies handle hazardous weather challenges? A conference that truly stimulates teachers to go back to their classrooms excited about what's being done and filled with new ideas to share with students and colleagues.
What's even better is that this conference is one of a series conceived and coordinated by classroom teachers. For three years, American Meteorological Society (AMS) Atmospheric Education Resource Agents (AERAs) from the Middle Atlantic states have provided elementary and secondary school teachers opportunities to get together to share exemplary activities, and to learn from leading government and industry representatives important aspects about weather dangers that should be shared with students.
Michael Rosenthal coordinated this year's program at Randolph (NJ) High School on 9 March 1996, with logistical support and demonstrations in the concurrent sessions by AERAs from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and new Jersey. Additional support was pr ovided by the AMS Project ATMOSPHERE, Henrico County (VA) Public Schools, the NJ Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the National Weather Service (NWS)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Department of Commerce.
Ron Holle from NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK, provided a fascinating keynote address with spectacular slides to show teachers the potential of "The Lightning Hazard: An Interdisciplinary Topic." For more information, including availability of classroom posters, try "http://holle@nssla.nssl.uoknor.edu" or "http://www.nssl.uoknor.edu".
Joe Witte, broadcast meteorologist on NBC-TV in New York City, entertained participants after lunch with his discussion of "The Blizzard of '96: The role of TV Weather Forecasting." For many teachers it was a first chance to express their thoughts to a live TV personality, but, more seriously, it was an opportunity to learn firsthand about the limitations inherent in making TV predictions. Witte also was able to discuss the support programs he and his NBC colleagues have begun to bring remote sensing from schools into daily televised presentations.
A third feature speaker was Dr. Susan Zevin, NWS Deputy for Operations. Her theme was "From Winter Storms to Floods - The Complete Story." Dr. Zevin's explanation provided a nice overview of the challenges that weather hazards provide for the NWS professionals and the general public and added to her long record of support for K-12 education.
Most of the day, however, was taken up by concurrent sessions in which classroom teachers, joined by government and industry representatives, shared ideas about how to teach weather-related topics. Many of the sessions were based on Project ATMOSPHERE modules, including "water vapor," "hurricanes," "thunderstorms," "El Ni¤o," "global change," "clouds," "highs and lows," and "weather radar." (As might be expected from the winter of 1996, the "winter storms" presentation had to be canceled because the A ERA could not get through the snow to the meeting. No kidding!)
National Weather Service presentations described partnerships with school and other outreach programs for the general public. Additional sessions dealt with such pertinent themes as the American Red Cross and emergency preparedness, the effects of haz ardous weather on electric power systems, and developing school emergency plans. David Robinson, New Jersey's State climatologist, provided an interesting description of unusual weather experiences around the state over the past few years. Conference organizers are to be commended for the ability to include something of interest to teachers at all levels and all subject areas. Information about future conferences will be provided through this Newsletter when available.
Home Fall 96 Full Screen
Fall 96 - Articles: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17The TEACHERS CLEARINGHOUSE FOR SCIENCE AND SOCIETY EDUCATION