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The Science of Weather and Climate

Description

In this course, we’ll review some basic physics principles (conservation of energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, modes of energy transfer) and then explore how these principles explain the operation of the Earth’s weather and climate. Why is it hotter in the summer than in the winter? Why do thunderstorms happen in the afternoon? Why do we get a spate of warm weather after the first killing frost?

This is a course put together by teachers for teachers. Your instructors will be the Little Shop of Physics team at Colorado State University. We’ll meet virtually, over Zoom, but this will be an active class. We’ll spend most of our time exploring, experimenting, and discussing. You’ll point an infrared thermometer at the sky, and discuss what the temperature you measure tells you. You’ll use a special filter to let your phone’s camera see beyond the rainbow, into the infrared, and discuss what this new view of the world tells us. You’ll learn how to make a cloud in a bottle, and how to use a flashlight or a laser pointer to measure the size of the cloud droplets (and learn why, sometimes, there is a rainbow halo around the moon).

We’ll work to duplicate the excitement of our in-person workshops in the online format.

PSD is providing instructional materials for each teacher taking part; PSD is also covering the cost of academic credit. (Thanks to Laura Grissom!)

Teachers taking part will receive:

  • Equipment. Infrared thermometers, infrared filters, reusable heat packs, and more. You’ll receive equipment for doing dozens of investigations during the class.
  • Instructional materials. We will share guides for doing investigations with your classes, as well as slides for each day of material.
  • Credit. You will receive 1 credit of NS 596: Group Study: The Science of Weather and Climate

Participants are expected to:

  • Be present for, and participate in, each class session.
  • Complete a (short) writing exercise each day.
  • Create a final project explaining how you can use the course material in your own classes

Details

The course will meet on 5 Thursday evenings, for 3 hours per session:

  • Thursday, February 4, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday, February 18, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday, March 4, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday, March 25, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday, April 1, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Each class will be a mix of experimentation, discussion, and explanation.

Signing Up

You will need to sign up for CSU credit to take part in this course. Here is a link to the CSU registration page:

Schedule

Links will be live shortly before the course begins

Day 1: Energy & the EM spectrum

Day 2: Energy in the Earth System

Day 3: Air, Water & Clouds

Day 4: Weather: Local and Global

Day 5: Climate and Climate Change

For More Information

For questions about eligibility and reserving your place, contact Laura Grissom.

For questions about course content and CSU credit, contact Brian Jones.