The geosciences consist of multiple disciplines including geology, oceanography, and atmospheric science. Significant work expended to understand spatial thinking skills important to teaching and learning geology has advanced our ability to support students in geology courses and to achieve increased student success, retention, and diversity in…

The document describes the use of weather maps and data in teaching introductory college courses in synoptic meteorology. Students examine weather changes at three-hour intervals from data obtained from the "Monthly Summary of Local Climatological Data." Weather variables in the local summary include sky cover, air temperature, dew point, relative…

Presents the rationale and purposes behind the phenomenon known as storm chasing, as well as the contributions that tornado chasers have made to both scientific knowledge and public safety. Provides statistical information on tornado frequencies and locations and contact addresses for storm chasers. (JJK)

Describes issues surrounding the general weakness in formal statistics education for both undergraduate and graduate students, and the minimal collaboration between statisticians and atmospheric scientists. Recommends statistics curriculum guidelines for atmospheric science students and ways to improve overall interaction between the disciplines.…

The background to Charles Darwin's little-known visit to Australia, and the account of his experiences while here, provide some invaluable historical material for teaching evolution, geology, meteorology, and the determination of longitude. Indeed, by using his Australian experiences as a foundation, it is possible to explain the theory of…

Presents a review of research into alternative conceptions about the weather. Exposes the need for further research into secondary students' understandings. Argues that some misconceptions are the result of the imprecise use of terms. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Describes an early childhood educator's approach to teaching children about rain, rainbows, clouds, precipitation, the sun, air, and wind. Recommends ways to organize study topics and describes experiments that can help children better understand the different elements of weather. (MOK)

Described are recent developments in technology which make it possible to predict hazardous events, develop disaster plans, and develop hazard-resistant facilities. Stressed are the needs for action on the local level and cooperation on the international level. (CW)

A conference on the history of space activity was convened at Yale University in 1981 and perspectives from history, political science, journalism, politics, science, and literature were exchanged. The essays in this publication serve as the proceedings for that conference. The papers are presented in four major theme areas. These include: (1)…