Climate change is a real thing, and its effects are already visible. However, understanding the process is far from an easy task. Sorting through the plethora of data available and understanding what that data means can be a monumental task. But allowing our students to investigate, build simple prediction models based on data, and utilizing those reliable data sources online can be the key to our students’ basic understanding and maybe even be the spark to light an epiphany of understanding.

Objectives:

• Become familiar with the online environmental and climate databases with public access

• Become familiar with simple predictive modeling software available for use in educational environments

• Experience datamining to be able to gather environmental data useable in predictive modeling

• Depending on pass availability, experiencing WxSat reception using easily available and inexpensive equipment.

Target Audience: secondary design technology and science teachers, upper elementary classroom teachers

Overview

This workshop will introduce participants into databases maintained by NASA, NOAA, ESA, and other international organizations providing both historical and real-time data for environmental conditions around the world. Attendees will also be introduced to existing weather and climate models which students can enter observational data and practice using as a predictive model. Depending on the timing of the workshop (based on orbital situations with LEO satellites), participants will experience a live demonstration of a low-cost (less than $50 USD) weather satellite decoding system. Note: the timing of the passes is out of the presenter’s or the school’s control and is completely dependent on orbital elements and not reliably predictable prior to 30 days before the pass.

Presenter Bio:

Now in his second career and life-long vocation, Rich Walrath has been teaching since 1993 in subjects ranging from general science to theatre. He participated in the American Meteorology Society’s DataStreme program, completing three graduate courses in environmental science, weather, and ocean systems. Due to the nature of the DataStreme program, he is a resource for teachers in his and other schools for engaging students and teachers with authentic learning in Earth systems and climate studies. Inside and outside the classroom, Rich is currently teaching MYP Language and Literature and Design as well as DP Physics. His hobbies include being a Class-A amateur radio operator in Korea and the Philippines as HL1ZAR and DU1ZXO, WxSat reception, amateur weather forecaster, homebrewer, and parent of two primary-aged children. He and his wife, Sherryl consider the Philippines home, and travel there as often as school holidays allow.