A team of experts from Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center (BPCRC) and Ohio State University Extension – the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) have been awarded Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP) funding to empower teaching and dissemination of climate and weather education.
Through in-person and expanded digital modalities “Improving Weather and Climate Understanding and Teaching Among Ohio Environmental Professionals and Volunteers” will develop new ways to introduce students, volunteers, educators, and park service staff to weather and climate educational materials and integrate these topics further into Extension and Park programming.
"This is something that has been requested time and time again by many of our partners and correspondents," said Geddy Davis, project lead and meteorologist and atmospheric scientist and program coordinator for weather and climate services with the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. "There is a lot of interest in Ohio's weather and climate: both are phenomena that impact daily life and work in numerous ways, but the topic is so big many educators and environmental professionals don't know where to start or how to connect it to their audiences. The goal of this content and this work is to change that."
Empowering Climate and Weather Education
The soon to be released Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Handbook with a Climate and Weather chapter serves as foundational content with introductions to weather, climate, seasonal variability and discussion of their influence on Ohio’s unique environment and ecosystems, as well as activities to "try it" or extend learning through direct experience and resources. Regional workshops and an online course are also planned.
"Our project seeks to support and empower OSU Extension educators, environmental and natural resources professionals, and volunteers to create ways to teach about climate and weather and provide them with confidence, resources, and support, to do so effectively," said Anne Baird, director of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program.
The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) program is an environmental and natural resources outreach and service program led by OSU Extension in collaboration with county Extension offices, parks, and arboretum. The mission is to promote awareness and stewardship of Ohio’s environment and natural resources through science-based education and community service.
"The Climate and Weather chapter is currently available for preview and those interested in ordering the full OCVN Handbook can sign up to be notified when it is available to order," Baird said.
The project team awarded OSEP funding includes Geddy Davis (lead), program coordinator and Jason Cervenec, education and outreach director, who are both with the Byrd Polar Climate Research Center (BPCRC); Anne Baird, director, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program (OCVN); and OSU Extension Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist Aaron Wilson.
For more information, contact:
Geddy Davis
Program Coordinator, Weather & Climate Services
davis.5694@osu.edu
Anne Baird
Program Director, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program
baird.41@osu.edu