Become a Real Weather Satellite Educator with Free Training Materials

Weather has come a long way since the days of hand drawn maps. Today, satellites are a key tool in the production of weather forecasts and news. Since 1988, educators across the country have been able to share their uses of satellite technology in the classroom through an innovative society called SEA or the Satellite Educators Association.

According to SEA, satellite education is the use of satellites and related technologies as a vehicle for helping students appreciate and understand the complex interrelationships among science, technology, individuals, societies and the environment, while developing and applying inquiry and technology skills to study authentic questions and problems. Satellites can be natural, artificial, environmental or astronomical. The purpose of the Satellite Educators Association is to create a location where teachers across the world can learn to use satellites in the classroom to meet objectives on topics including weather, space, and geography.

Teacher resources are available including hands-on activities, lesson plans, and research materials that follow the National Education Standards. As part of the Annual Satellite Educators Conference, teachers can register to be participants or conference presenters. Financial aid is also available for participating teachers to help pay for travel and substitute teacher expenses. The conference is hosted at California State University, Los Angeles and is sponsored by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Some of the offering of the program include:

• Full-course curriculum development
• Public outreach programs
• Custom designed programs to meet grant requirements
• Teacher training

In addition, students can become a part of the MY SPACE program or Multinational Youth Studying Practical Applications of Climatic Events. In this program, students and teachers are brought together to brainstorm and create materials at a conference event. Lesson plans are then published on the website. Students present materials to teachers, pre-service teachers, scientists, and other students from around the world.