The ARM Climate Research Facility Education and Outreach Program is involved in climate change educational outreach in the communities and regions hosting the ARM Program's data-gathering field sites. The goal of the education and outreach program is to develop basic science awareness and increase critical thinking skills focusing on environmental science and climate change for K-12 students. In addition, the program supports relationship building between teachers, students, scientists, and the community.
Our education and outreach program complements the ARM Program scientific efforts because the education program staff uses ARM Program objectives and data to enrich students' science programs. Each site is different, and the education program staff is committed to incorporate the regional culture into the education program materials that will be developed.
Planned activities for the program include teacher in-service days, community and teacher workshops, Internet projects, educational kiosks, curriculum development, site tours, and support for teacher enrichment activities.
In 2003 the education program was consolidated, and education efforts across sites will be more integrated as a result. This year, the primary goal is to extend the existing program to cover all three sites and to coordinate activities among the sites. In order to achieve this goal, we do the following:
- Bring awareness of the ARM Program to host communities through public education relevant to the culture of the region
- Provide opportunities for educators and students close to the ARM sites to understand the goals of the ARM Program and have access and use ARM data for educational programs as technical resources permit
- Increase the knowledge base for basic science and critical thinking skills using curriculum enrichment activities in climate, climate change, and climate change effects relevant to each region
- Develop and use tools (curriculum, teacher enrichment, workshops, science fair support, high school research projects, school interactions between the sites) and teacher internships to promote learning and understanding of climate science and environmental effects.
