20806248Weather and Climate Laboratory
Course Information
Description
This course introduces weather and climate via hands-on means with three areas of emphasis: weather map analysis, atmospheric physics experimentation, and making weather observations. Weather map analysis will revolve around the construction of surface weather maps from plotting, isopleth analysis, and interpretation. Atmospheric physics experiments will demonstrate aspects of how the atmosphere works. Making weather observations and discussing weather instrumentation (where those observations come from!) will be part of the course via an online weather journal.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Analyze maps of meteorological data
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration throughout the class, verbal and written product
    Criteria
    Synthesize scientific information (geographically plotting data)
    Produce accurate interpretations of scientific information gathered for a task
    Determine value of scientific information, critically assessing its relevance and credibility
    Seek additional information after recognizing the need for more clarification or support
    Construct and analyze a case study of a weather event via map analysis
    Synthesize and predict physical conditions given a suite of meteorological data

  2. Reconstruct behaviors of the atmosphere via atmospheric physics experiments
    Assessment Strategies
    Written lab reports
    Criteria
    Examine key characteristics of weather events via an experiment
    Scientific vocabulary is used accurately
    Assemble a scientific laboratory report which meets established guidelines
    Demonstrate correct use of weather and laboratory instrumentation
    Synthesize scientific measurements and plot data

  3. Maintain a weather observation journal
    Assessment Strategies
    Written journal, verbal and written product
    Criteria
    Record weather observations on a routine basis
    Calculate basic climatological styled information from the observations
    Give a short presentation on the observations made over the semester
    Create a 3-5 summary report which meets established guidelines

  4. Identify weather instrumentation used to measure the weather
    Assessment Strategies
    Written lab reports, quiz
    Criteria
    Classify meteorological instrumentation
    identify and describe measurement techniques and sources of error
    Assess a location for its suitability for weather instrumentation
    Demonstrate correct use of weather and laboratory instrumentation