Earth image  About the CourseModulesGlossaryReal-time DataGallery
About this Course                                        GOES satellite

Satellite Meteorology



Created by UW-Madison, 2002

Meteorology is an excellent topic to introduce middle and high school students to geoscience, physics, chemistry and applied mathematics. Satellite Meteorology provides scientists and educators with exciting tools for investigation, inquiry, analysis and stewardship.

This Satellite Meteorology course was developed for middle and high school science classes. Modules were designed to serve as stand-alone lessons, however, we strongly encourage a sequential approach to the material.

To maximize learning from this Satellite Meteorology course we recommend that students:

  • Read each module in the order they are presented
  • Engage in all hands-on exercises when they are offered
  • Tackle "Problems with Solutions" and "Assessments" before moving on to the next module (links to "Problems and Solutions" and "Assessments" are available on the last page of each module)
  • The material was designed to challenge students through the end of 12th grade so middle school teachers and students may want to skim or skip a few sections. Others wishing to explore the topic further are encouraged to visit the CIMSS's college level course that was used as a springboard for this project. Additional on-line resources used to augment course content include numerous NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) web sites. Course content was further enhanced using CIMSS Director Dr. Steven Ackerman's Meteorology text entitled "Understanding the Atmosphere" (Ackerman & Knox, 2002).

    Course content is consistent with Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards as outlined by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Links to National Science Content Standards have also been identified. A CD-ROM with Teacher's Guide accompany the on-line material. Applicable science standards for each module can also be found in the Teacher's Guide. Educators are urged to visit the Teachers Resource Page when teaching this material.


    We would like to thank the teachers who participated in our summer workshops for their helpful feedback on this course.

    "I am excited to implement these well-made resources"
    A teacher comment from 2003

    "One of the most useful & needed workshops I have ever been to"
    A teacher comment from 2004

    "Guest speakers were excellent! I have learned a tremendous amount and am looking forward to using the modules in my classes"
    A teacher comment from 2005

    Questions?
    If you have questions about this course, please contact Margaret Mooney, CIMSS/SSEC Earth Science Outreach Specialist.

    Our Satellite Meteorology CD-ROMS are distributed freely at workshops and conferences. The course is currently being revised and updated and CDs will be available for order (for a nominal fee) in spring 2012.

    CIMSS logo

    This Satellite Meteorology Course was developed at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) located within the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) at the UW-Madison.

    SSEC logo
    WSGC logo
    Funding was provided by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) and NOAA/NESDIS .
    NOAA logo
     
    This educational tool was approved by NASA's 2004 Education Product Review team