Weather Station at RBV
During Spring of 2015 I co-taught three sections of Academic Earth Science at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, CA. A large number of students in these classes are English language learners, both reclassified and active. I have found that many of these students learn scientific principles best when they can make direct connections with their lives. This class has a major unit on “Energy in Earth Systems”, focusing on atmosphere, weather and climate. Thanks to the 'Learning and Leading for English Language Learners' grant I was able to install a Personal Weather Station at the school and provide real-time weather information and data to my students. The self-contained unit measures wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall, UV and solar radiation. It wirelessly transmits its data to a network-connected receiver that uploads the data to the Internet.
Before installing the weather station, I brought it into the class to familiarize students with the instrumentation. I then coordinated with the school’s Maintenance and IT departments to locate a suitable installation location and we put it into service. I also established a public website in order to view current and archived data.
Before installing the weather station, I brought it into the class to familiarize students with the instrumentation. I then coordinated with the school’s Maintenance and IT departments to locate a suitable installation location and we put it into service. I also established a public website in order to view current and archived data.
Students could immediately see measurements of the weather they were noticing outside as well as trends and patterns over days and weeks. Throughout the lessons on atmosphere and weather we were able to reference the weather station data. When unusual weather events occurred the students hypothesized on what the station would measure. The students downloaded and graphed the data learning not just the science but expanding their technological skills.
The weather station proved quite popular at the school, as well. Several other teachers were able to incorporate the data into their lessons. The school placed a link to the website on their home page. The administration decided that it was of such value that they decided to buy one of their own.
The weather station proved quite popular at the school, as well. Several other teachers were able to incorporate the data into their lessons. The school placed a link to the website on their home page. The administration decided that it was of such value that they decided to buy one of their own.