for segue forms (.pdf) click below

Objectives

• Demonstrate some of the basic aspects of atmospheric science particularly as they relate to studies of traditional societies.

• Illustrate broad applications of atmospheric science

• Develop avenues for students to continue to learn about atmospheric science that lead directly out of the segue experience.

Learning Structure

• Class-room/Laboratory discussion groups (students will have already watched assigned video presentations)

  • During class the instructor will lead a discussion about atmospheric science as it pertains to weather prediction, local environmental knowledge, and atmospheric conditions that influence plant growth and agricultural planning.
    　

• Web-based delivery of information to students:

  • Provide a brief overview of some of the most interesting areas of atmospheric science.

  • Direct students to practitioners of atmospheric science within the University and in the community at-large.

  • Show students specific courses or other educational opportunities that can be used to further explore interests in atmospheric science.

Learning Outcomes

(1 = Most Desired Outcome, 3 = A Desirable Outcome, 5 = Least Desired Outcome)

1. Students seek more information about studies in atmospheric science, register to take a course in atmospheric science, and become a degree seeking major in atmospheric science.

2. Students seek more information about studies in atmospheric science and register to take a course in atmospheric science as part of an effort to broaden their education.

3. Students develop a sufficient (but minimal) understanding of atmospheric science to be able to make decisions about their own career (and inclusion or not of this science). These students are probably better citizens/voters.

4. Students do not learn anything about atmospheric science.

5. Students develop a negative perspective about atmospheric science because of the information received through this project.

Ethnobotany Segue Experience

• In class students will briefly discussion atmospheric science as it relates to
  weather prediction and local environmental knowledge about weather.  Students will receive data on the yearly rainfall averages for O‘ahu and discuss the implications of variation in rainfall amount.
  　

• As a follow-up to class, students are instructed to think about microclimates in Mānoa Valley (from mountains to reef), the optimal places to plant crops, and places for people to live. For example students can think about ‘ualaka‘a (sic Tantalus) and Wa‘ahila, Mānoa (stream), Māuka and Mākai.  This will be further discussed next week in class.

Other Science

• Atmospheric science is an umbrella term for the study of the atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems. Meteorology includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics with a major focus on weather forecasting. Climatology is the study of atmospheric changes (both long and short-term) that define average climates and their change over time, due to both natural climate variability and anthropogenic climate variability. Atmospheric science has been extended to the field of planetary science and the study of the atmospheres of the planets of the solar system.
  　

• History of atmospheric science, with an emphasis on traditional applications and modern-day technology

• Techniques used to assess the biochemical composition of the atmosphere in relation to air pollution, global warming, etc.

• Theories about the origin and proliferation of abnormal and/or devastating weather patterns.

Other Science Practitioners

• Students interested in studying astronomy may want to contact Dr. Duane Stevens, dstevens@soest.hawaii.edu, Department of Meteorology, HIG rm. 333.
  　
• Other practitioners of atmospheric science include:
  • Climatologists
  • Meteorologists
  • Oceanographers
  • Geoscientists
  • Broadcasting meteorologists
  • Marine scientists
  • Natural resource managers

Other Science Courses

• Students interested in learning more about atmospheric science may want to take Meteorology 101 Introduction to Meteorology.
  　

• However, students who have taken introductory physics may want to also consider Meteorology 200 Descriptive Meteorology.

Resources

• Here are some websites that pertain to atmospheric science:
  • Meteorology Department at UH
  • Degree programs at UH including Bachelors and Minor Degrees
  • History of Meteorology at UH Manoa
  • Hawaii Satellite Weather
  • Coastal Erosion
  • Hawaii Moon Calendar
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  • Individual indigenous account of seasons in Hawaii
  • More resources tying Hawaiian culture to climate
    　
• For career information, students may want to view the occupational outlook for potential careers in atmospheric science at the U.S. Department of Labor:
  • Atmospheric Scientists
  • Geoscientists
  • Chemical and environmental engineers