NATIONAL EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS

2006 AIM/GLOBE/CloudSat Educator Workshop

• Dates:  July 23-29, 2006

• Workshop Location:  University of Alaska in Anchorage

• The AIM workshop is being developed and implemented through a partnership between NASA, GLOBE and Hampton University.  The workshop will be held in Alaska because of its optimal location for viewing NLCs.   

About the AIM Mission and Workshop

“Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere” (AIM), a NASA satellite-based research mission, recently partnered with the GLOBE program to provide students and teachers with innovative educational opportunities, which incorporate remote sensing of Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs).  The AIM satellite mission is dedicated to providing a scientific basis for understanding why Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) form and vary.  PMCs are sometimes known as Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs) or “night shinning” clouds because of their visibility during or just before and after twilight.  NLCs may well be the only true visible atmospheric phenomenon associated with global atmospheric change.  These clouds form approximately 50 miles above the Earth, usually surface poleward of 500 degrees latitude, and have been increasing with time – becoming brighter and moving toward the equator.  The visible manifestation of NLCs provides an unprecedented and unique opportunity for education.  The GLOBE program, one of AIM’s education partners, is collaborating with AIM to provide students with opportunities to collect and utilize NLC data images.  AIM’s outreach team and scientists are constructing a specific NLC protocol for students that will be used by GLOBE.  The partnership of AIM and GLOBE will allow students worldwide to be involved in collecting and utilizing NLC data images.  Educators selected to attend the AIM workshop will develop online lessons that incorporate AIM science and NLC data.  The AIM and GLOBE educational programs will use the striking images of NLCs to motivate interest, learning, and a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding changes in our atmosphere.  In addition to learning about AIM mission science and NLC protocols, the workshop will incorporate the science of the CloudSat and CALIPSO missions, studying clouds and aerosols.  Both NLC and atmospheric protocols will be included in the workshop so that teachers will learn how their students can report NLCs, aerosols and cloud observations online. 

• Participant Support Includes:

• A waterproof digital camera, camera case, tripod and 250 MB card.

• A field study day in Fjords National Park

• Reimbursement up to $500 for airfare to Anchorage

• Dormitory housing at the University of Alaska at Anchorage

• All breakfasts, lunches and most dinners

• A rental car for each group of 5 participants

• All necessary materials and supplies needed for the workshop

• An opportunity to receive 3 hours of graduate credit in science from Hampton University.  Each participant must register and pay for this separately (cost approx. $555) at the workshop OR at no charge a letter certifying participation towards recertification points will be awarded.

• GLOBE certification in atmospheric protocols

• Requirements - Each participant is required to: 

• Bring a lap-top with wireless capability

• Arrive by 5 p.m. on July 23^rd and stay until noon on July 29^th, NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Attend ALL workshop sessions July 23rd-29th, 2006, including evening activities and field trips.  A typical daily schedule runs 9am-5pm with some evening activities.

• Develop an action plan that describes how they will:

• Incorporate lessons and activities learned at the workshop into their classroom;

• Host a staff development or regional workshop for their school or school system;

• Develop lessons that will be posted on the AIM outreach website http://aim.hamptonu.edu/outreach; and

• Use the NLC and atmospheric GLOBE protocols to collect and report data online.


• Contact: For more information please contact  Barbara H. Maggi, Outreach Director, Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Hampton University
  • Email:  barbara.maggi@hamptonu.edu
  • Phone:  (757) 727-5869

The AIM mission is a part of
NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum.