NASA 2006 Educator Workshop: NASA Satellites Study Earth's Atmosphere: CALIPSO,
CloudSat, And GLOBE (CCAG)
Lead educators from around the United States, France and Canada gathered in July at Hampton
University in coastal Virginia to learn about educational opportunities with the NASA CloudSat
and CALIPSO satellite missions and the NASA-sponsored GLOBE Program. CALIPSO is a
joint U.S. (NASA) and French (CNES) mission. CloudSat’s international partner is Canada
through the Canadian Space Agency.
Thirty-three participants spent a week together hearing from mission scientists, being exposed to
content and hands-on activities for their classrooms and networking with each other. One of the
workshop highlights was the opportunity for educators to interact with scientists. Deborah Vane,
CloudSat Deputy Principal Investigator, introduced participants to the CloudSat mission.
CALIPSO scientist Tom Kovacs generated strong discussion with his climate change
presentation. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center scientist Ed Celarier exposed the group to
ways to use actual satellite data in the classroom. David Hudak, Canadian CloudSat scientist and
weather radar expert with Environment Canada, was also on hand to lend his expertise to
participants.
Other highlights included trips to the Virginia Air and Space Museum, the National Maritime
Center’s Nauticus, and a boat ride and dinner in Virginia Beach. View photos of some of the
CCAG scientists and educators. For additional information and photos, visit the CALIPSO
Education and Outreach website.
Paul Jones, assistant instructor and teacher at the School
of International Studies at Meadowbrook, Norfolk, Va.
Opening night reception at the Virginia Air and Space Museum.
Deborah Vane, CloudSat Deputy Principal Investigator,
explains cloud profiling radar.
David Hudak of Environment Canada and
member of the CloudSat Science Team.
Participants take GLOBE atmospheric measurements.
Tom Kovacs of Hampton University and
member of the CALIPSO Science Team.
Dale, Sam, Cody, Susan and Fellicia answer the question “What is a Cloud?”.
NASA Goddard Space Flight
scientist Ed Celarier.
Lead instructor Paul Adams from Fort Hays State University guides the discussion.
Center
Participants from Nevada, France and Mississippi practice using a GPS.
Canadian educators present ideas on student participation in the CloudSat mission.
Participants from Pennsylvania and West Virginia enjoy the boat ride.