We are excited to announce a collaborative effort to design a curriculum alongside the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) at the University of Oklahoma.

Background

Weather connects people of all ages, races, nationalities, genders, and socioeconomic status. Experts report that severe weather’s impact is disproportionately harmful to socially vulnerable communities. Populations defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age may be more exposed to the highest impacts of severe weather events. Decisive action, supported by scientific and data literacy, is required across the globe and in each community.

Unfortunately, members of vulnerable communities most affected by weather hazards are often excluded from the opportunities to gain expertise and influence. Non-white students account for roughly 21% of all meteorology undergraduate degrees in the country, and there are two males for every female in the field. A concerted effort must be to expand access to weather and climate discussions.

We’re developing a new curriculum focused on citizen science, basic meteorology principles, observation, safety, and related career pathways for these reasons. These materials aim to strengthen students’ STEM identities and relate to their personal interests.

Goals & Objectives

Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance proposes a collaborative effort with CIWRO to design and support the implementation of a 9-18 week middle school exploratory elective meteorology course. The course and associated professional learning structures would serve as a premier meteorology outreach model that inspires and prepares students in the area of meteorology.

After interviewing subject matter experts in meteorological careers, the following criteria should be met for a successful and meaningful curriculum:

• Lessons are designed to be hands-on and project-based, anchored in real-world applications of content.
• The course provides a holistic STEM experience for students, with the integration of geology, geography, meteorology, math, physics, engineering, and computer science concepts.
• The curriculum pays particular attention to how communities are impacted by weather and the study of meteorology, emphasizing inequalities that exist in access to severe weather safety information, warnings, and forecasts.
• Lessons and course activities adhere to best practices for STEM education as outlined by organizations such OpenSciEd, EdReports, and PEAR Dimensions of Success.
• The curriculum encourages students to pursue difficult subjects that will prepare them for careers in meteorology.
• The curriculum enhances students’ STEM identity by adequately representing professionals from historically excluded communities.
• The curriculum is formatted as a collection of modules that can be adopted individually or collectively.

Join the Coalition

We are actively seeking diverse partners to join us in guiding and shaping our efforts. This includes the following coalitions:

• Educator Coalition: A collaborative group of educators dedicated to shaping and enhancing the educational aspects of our work. This coalition will bring teachers, administrators, and other education professionals together to provide valuable insights and expertise.
• Industry Professional Coalition: Comprising professionals from various industries, this coalition will offer their unique perspectives and experiences to ensure our initiatives align with real-world needs and opportunities. Their input will help bridge the gap between education and industry, creating relevant and impactful programming.
• Curriculum Specialist Coalition: This coalition will involve curriculum specialists and experts who will play a crucial role in developing and refining our initiatives’ educational content and materials. They will ensure that our programs align with academic standards, meet learning objectives, and promote effective teaching practices.

By assembling these diverse coalitions, we aim to harness our partners’ collective wisdom and expertise to create meaningful and impactful initiatives that benefit our community.

Partners will have access to stipends as part of the collaboration.

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