Welcome to "Weather Outside Your Front Door," a series of experiments that teach you how to measure the weather. Become a weathercaster and record your own data! Gauge the rain, watch the wind, track the temperature, and see pressure change with your own homemade devices. Taking measurements of temperatures, moisture, wind and pressure helps predict the weather and, this data can also teach you a lot about the environment. Remember, the better you understand the atmosphere, the better you will become at predicting it! And, it can all begin with Weather Outside Your Front Door.
(All of these links include a printer friendly PDF file)
TEMPERATURE
WIND
RAIN
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE
These experiments were designed by Meteorologist Amy Freeze for "Public Science Education in an Informal Setting" at the University of Pennsylvania. A recent study connected weathercasters to this type of informal learning. The study examined the impact of TV on science awareness and, how it can lead to the changing environmental behaviors. The study also suggested that "weathercasters are a promising but, underutilized element of television". (Hobart, Kwan & Shah, 2003.)
Already, America's most visible science communicators, broadcast and news meteorologists can use their unique positions and skills to educate people on environmental conditions. Their combination of science expertise, frequent use of graphics and, high level of public trust, make them the ideal science and environment ambassadors to the public. Weathercasters are particularly positioned to explain complex natural systems and to educate the public on the important cause and effect relationships. Fully, 80% of all adults including community leaders watch the news primarily to see the weather." (Coyle, Chap. 3, page 46)
Coyle, Kevin. "Environmental Literacy in America" September 2005. National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. Resource: EarthForce
Hobert, L.R., Kwak, N., Shah, D. "Environmental concern, patterns of television viewing, and pro-environmental behaviors: Integrating modles of media consumption and effects." Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. June 2003. pp. 177-197. |
