The COMET Program Announces a Summer 2011 Course for University Faculty: Integrating Satellite Data and Products

into Geoscience Courses with Emphasis on Advances in Geostationary Satellite Systems

8-12 August 2011 Boulder, Colorado Purpose of the Course Through their participation in this course, faculty will upgrade their knowledge and skills related to satellite data and products. It is no longer just a visible, infrared, and water vapor product world! This course will prepare faculty to teach future meteorologists about current advanced capabilities as well as next generation satellite data and products, before new systems become operational. Since many instructors also teach survey earth science courses, they will be ready to impart this new knowledge of satellite systems and capabilities to many non-science majors (including future K-12 teachers). The opportunities for faculty to reach a broad audience of potential users of satellite information and teach them what is (and will be) available, and how it may be relevant in their lives, is tremendous. Course Content Experts will provide lectures on a variety of current and advanced satellite-related topics. Additional sessions will be devoted to hands-on training in which participants will use COMET workstations for lab activities that focus on lecture topics and related teaching resources. Topics covered will include 1) current and future GOES satellite systems 2) introduction to the over 70 hours of materials directly related to satellite meteorology on the MetEd Website, 3) practice repurposing content from COMET modules, and 4) exposure to using the Environmental Satellite Resource Center. A field trip to the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) in Fort Collins to learn from experts there may be included. Short weather discussions each day will emphasize satellite interpretation and forecasting. Upon completion of the course, participants will be encouraged to engage in a follow-up project to develop satellite meteorology instructional materials for their own courses that they can share with other faculty. Upon completion of the course, participants will: Show an increased understanding of scientific principles in satellite remote sensing Have enhanced knowledge of GOES capabilities with emphasis on interpretation and application of data and products Demonstrate improved understanding of satellite data as part of an integrated observing and forecasting system Show increased awareness of applications of satellite data and products for both operational and research purposes as well as for other users such as teachers, emergency managers, policy decision makers and the general public Have hands-on practice incorporating advanced satellite meteorology concepts and knowledge into their curricula Who Should Participate? This course is geared toward college and university faculty who teach atmospheric science or related courses that presently include (or wish to include) some component of satellite meteorology. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants. Cost 1. The COMET Program, with funding courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/GOES-R, will provide airfare, lodging, rental vans for students daily use, and per diem. Application Procedure Participant selection will be made on the basis of application materials listed below, and will be done in such a way as to ensure a wide range of university participation. 1. Send a letter of application stating your interest in the course. 2. Include a two-page curriculum vita containing a list of courses you have taught. 3. Provide a description of your department's relevant course(s), detailing your access to satellite data and products.
Send Application Materials by 15 April 2011 to: Wendy Abshire UCAR/COMET P.O. Box 3000 Boulder, CO 80307-3000 Phone: (303) 497-8477 email: abshire@comet.ucar.edu Inquiries may be directed to : Dr. Liz Page (704) 504-1502 email: epage@comet.ucar.edu

APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR SELECTION BY 2 May 2011.

The COMET Program is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and funded by the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pursuant to NOAA Award No. NA06NWS4670013. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the sponsoring agencies.

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