SYLLABUS
Weather and Climate Series - Summer Quarter, 2006
This two-part series is composed of two courses, "Understanding the Physics of the Atmosphere" and "Understanding Climate Change". Teachers are encouraged to register for both courses, although they may register for the first or the second class alone. However, teachers should not register for the second course alone ("Climate") unless they have taken "Physics of the Atmosphere" in the past or have special permission by instructors Dr. Jérôme Patoux or Dr. Heather Price. This course is presented in partnership with the Program on Climate Change and the Center for Inquiry Science, an NSF-UW program for science teachers.
Understanding the Physics of the Atmosphere
Room: TBA
Time: Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28, 2006
9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00
Instructors:
|
Dr. Jérôme Patoux Atmospheric Sciences Department (206) 543-2480 jerome@atmos.washington.edu |
Dr. Heather Price Atmospheric Sciences Department (206) 543-4596 heather@atmos.washington.edu |
Class Objectives
This first class is designed to directly support the use of the modules:
STC/MS "Catastrophic Events", Part 1: Storms, or
FOSS-MS "Weather & Water". The objectives are:
- to cover the basic physics required for understanding complex weather phenomena
- to ensure a deep enough understanding of these concepts that you will feel comfortable teaching the modules
- to go beyond the modules so that you will understand the framework in which these concepts are embedded and why they are important (what will your students learn from them?)
- to offer alternative ways of teaching the material so that you can adapt your teaching to the different styles of learning in your class
- to cover the usual misconceptions and "trick" questions that you will be exposed to in the classroom
Teaching Philosophy
The course uses many hands-on experiments and daily experiences that
anybody can relate to. We will use these experiments
to build your own understanding and
definitions of basic physics concepts. Through group
discussions we will explore the questions, problems,
difficulties arising from the experiments. There will
also be ample time for individual questions.
Textbook
There is no required textbook for this class. We might provide short
readings in class. We will post recommendations for
meteorology books in the "Links" section.
Understanding Climate Change
Room: TBA
Time: Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4, 2006
9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00
Instructors:
|
Dr. Heather Price Atmospheric Sciences Department (206) 543-4596 heather@atmos.washington.edu |
Dr. Jérôme Patoux Atmospheric Sciences Department (206) 543-2480 jerome@atmos.washington.edu |
Class Objectives
This second class will apply previously-learned concepts about the
atmosphere to climate processes. The objectives are:
- to cover basic Earth history, biology, chemistry, and physics needed to understand climate change
- to provide a framework in which current environmental issues are embedded and a deep enough understanding of these issues that you will feel comfortable teaching them in class
- to offer alternative ways of teaching the material so that you can adapt your teaching to the different styles of learning in your class
- to cover the usual misconceptions and "trick" questions that you will be exposed to in the classroom
Teaching Philosophy
This second part of the series also relies on hands-on activities,
daily experiences, group discussions and individual
questions. It will offer additional opportunities to
integrate your learning toward a more
global, systemic way of thinking.
Textbook
There is no required textbook for this class. We might provide short
readings in class. We will post recommendations for
climate-related books in the "Links" section.