DataStreme Atmosphere has major support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct a Teacher Enhancement Project with a strong leadership component. An innovative Internet-based distance-learning course directed towards middle-school teachers, but open to all K-12 teachers, has been developed and is being implemented nationwide. The course, DataStreme Atmosphere, focuses on the study of the atmospheric environment through the use of continuously updated electronically transmitted weather data and learning materials. It is designed after the other highly successful DataStreme distance-learning courses.

The DS Atmosphere course is the initial step in the training of Weather Resource Teachers with their participation in the DS Atmosphere distance-learning course. The 13-week course is offered twice a year to selected participants. It is designed to enhance public understanding of the  atmospheric portion of the Earth system and its interaction with people using electronically transmitted environmental data and learning materials combined with Text readings and Investigations Manual activities and Current Weather Studies online investigations. Teachers will become their school's representative as part of a major national science education program conducted by the American Meteorological Society.

Who can participate in DS Atmosphere?
The course is directed towards middle-school teachers, but open to all K-12 teachers, who live in an area served by a LIT. Teachers of any subject who have an interest in promoting the teaching of Earth Science across the curriculum may apply. Applications are sought from persons who can demonstrate potential for leadership as resource teachers. They must be willing to act as resource persons for other teachers and as advocates for promoting the use of electronically-delivered environmental data in schools.

Teachers who are members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, or teachers who are teaching in schools with large numbers of students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, are especially urged to apply.

How is the DataStreme Atmosphere course conducted?
DataStreme Atmosphere operates through the combined efforts of literally hundreds of people working together to provide a unique enhancement opportunity for K-12 teachers.

The DataStreme Atmosphere course is offered through DataStreme Atmosphere Local Implementation Teams (LITs) that are located around the country. LITs, typically composed of three members, coordinate the selection and delivery of the course to approximately eight teacher participants each semester. Each team advertises the local course availability, recruits and selects participants, arranges and holds local meetings, individually mentors participants on course understandings and activities, provides participant evaluations, and assists in developing Resource Teacher action plans. Each LIT is composed of at least one master precollege teacher and most include one professional meteorologist, hydrologist, oceanographer or environmental scientist.

DataStreme Central, located at the AMS Education Office, is a team that develops instructional materials, provides logistical support to the LITs, conducts the credit-bearing course in which most DataStreme Atmosphere participants enroll, and administers the overall project.

What equipment do I need for DataStreme Atmosphere?
You will need a PC or Mac computer, printer, and an Internet connection with browsing capability (such as Microsoft Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Opera software). If you are reading this on-screen with your own equipment and you can print it out, you are essentially ready for DataStreme Atmosphere participation. Access to a facsimile machine for transmitting and receiving materials between you and your LIT mentor may be helpful.

What will I need to do if I am selected for the DataStreme Atmosphere course?

• Attend the three scheduled course meetings arranged by the LIT in your area.
• Follow weather on a national scale via DataStreme Atmosphere delivery of real-time information throughout the course.
• Successfully complete two learning activities with electronically-delivered components each week.
• Complete assigned readings from a textbook and Investigations Manual and weekly progress reports.
• Transmit completed activities and progress report to your assigned LIT mentor on a weekly schedule.
• Interact regularly with your LIT mentor by telephone or email to discuss course progress.
• Document several examples of in-school applications of DataStreme Ocean course products.
• Develop plans for becoming an Earth System Education Resource Teacher.
• Submit for review and evaluation a complete portfolio (archive) of course work at the final group meeting of the course.

What does DataStreme Atmosphere do for me?
You will be prepared to act as your school's weather education resource person. By successfully completing the DataStreme Atmosphere course, you will:

• Learn weather fundamentals via a unique electronically delivered distance-learning course that emphasizes the study of meteorology as it happens.
• Become your school's representative as part of a major national science education program conducted by the American Meteorological Society in close cooperation with NOAA.
• Develop computer-based real-time environmental information acquisition and analysis skills.
• Receive resource and reference materials for your professional library. Discover ways to instill the excitement of current real-world science events across the precollege curriculum.
• Develop collegial working relationships with DataStreme Atmosphere, LIT members, and other course participants.

All participants are enrolled in a 3 semester-hour graduate course, entitled ESC 675 Real-Time Weather Studies, through the State University of New York College at Brockport. Credit is awarded upon successfully completing course requirements the same semester as the course is taken.

What materials does DataStreme Atmosphere supply?

• DataStreme Atmosphere textbook and Investigations Manual
• Electronically-delivered daily weather data and learning materials based on current atmospheric events.

What must I do after the DataStreme Atmosphere course?
The goal of DataStreme Atmosphere is to empower Weather Education Resource Teachers with the knowledge and capabilities to transform a virtually endless stream of environmental data into exciting and creative learning experiences for young people. As an DS Atmosphere Education Resource Teacher, you will be expected to introduce other teachers and administrators in your school, parents, and members of the community to the benefits of utilizing electronically-delivered environmental data streams as vehicles for learning across the curriculum.

DataStreme Atmosphere expects to develop a long-term working relationship with DataStreme Atmosphere course participants. The goal is to upgrade scientific literacy by motivating teachers and through them, their students, to develop and nurture active interests in science, mathematics, and technology.

How do I apply for DataStreme Atmosphere?

• Complete an Application Form (pdf) for DataStreme Atmosphere.
  Participants may only take one DataStreme course per semester.
• Submit your application to the nearest DataStreme Atmosphere LIT Leader listed on this webpage under the heading 'DataStreme Atmosphere LIT Leaders', and request information for the next offering of the DataStreme Atmosphere course.

If there is no LIT listed near you or in your state, inquiries may be sent to find out about joining a LIT outside your area by email to: amsedu@ametsoc.org. You will be notified of the status of your application by the local LIT leader. Enrollment is limited and selection is based on a number of criteria.

NOAA and NSF support DataStreme Atmosphere. The State University of New York at Brockport, NY awards graduate-level academic credit for DataStreme Atmosphere. The AMS provides financial support for the program and encourages its membership to take part as LIT members.

DataStreme Atmosphere is primarily funded by NOAA.

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