The weather outside has been frightful!

(January 2010) “The weather outside has been frightful!,” which made Scott Smith’s Meteorology class even more interesting for Riverhead High School students. Mr. Smith got his undergraduate degree in Meteorology and has worked in the field for several years. He proposed and wrote the meteorology class curriculum, and the class was started three years ago at RHS as an elective. The first semester of the course is focused on Meteorology and the second half is dedicated to Astronomy. 

“My goal is to have students leave my class knowing the fundamentals of why certain weather situations may or may not occur,” states Mr. Smith. “We discuss the basic cause of weather then take a look at topics such as Hurricanes, Severe Storms, Precipitation, and Clouds. By the end of the year, the students have learned how to make their own weather forecasts using the same computer models and information that the professionals use. There is also a search project the students are responsible for which includes a typed paper and a 15-20 minute presentation on an approved meteorlogical topic of their choice. We end the year discussing 'climate change'. We hold a debate in class as to whether climate change is man made or if weather is just cyclic and there are times the climate is cold and times when it is warm.”

Each day at the beginning of the period, Mr. Smith has his students use the Smart Board in the classroom to take turns presenting a weather map discussion. They look at the radar, satellite, and computer models, and the students talk about what’s happening presently and what lies ahead.

“It’s a great way to put what they learn from their textbooks and discussions to use by applying this information,” he notes.

He also reinforces student learning by taking a trip to one of the major studios in New York City to show them first hand how weather forecasts are created and then presented to the public. Three years ago Mr. Smith’s class went to NBC, last year to ABC, and this year to CBS. 

“The reason that I like to take the students on this trip into New York City is that it shows them that a lot of what we do in the classroom the professionals also do,” shares Mr.  Smith. “It allows them to see that the professionals generate their forecasts the same way that they learn to create their own. The trip also provides the students an opportunity to see how the weather graphics are created and then presented to the public. We also get to take a tour of the weather center, newsroom, and control rooms. Then they are allowed on the set while the news is being shot live. After the newscast is over, the students are able to interact with the anchors and meteorologist and ask any questions that they may have.”  

Meteorology is also becoming a popular major in college--a couple of RHS students have gone on to major in Meteorology. One graduate from the class of 2009 is currently majoring in Aviation and Meteorology, which is also one of the major topics touched on in the class.

Photo Caption: The studio only allows a school to bring 14 people in for a visit so they had to make two trips. These are the students and chaperones who went on the trips.