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Preparing Students for the Sciences in College
Dr. Paul J. CroftKean University
Jeffrey TongueSuffolk County Community College
Skills Lacking for an Introductory Natural Sciences Course
• No (limited) working knowledge of the Metric System
• Mathematically Challenged• Current Events – Limited Interest• Student “Quality” has decreased in the last 5
years.• Computer Skills Have Improved.
The Metric System• What is the approximate temperature outside in
Celsius? (currently) ? A. 72B. 20C. 123D. -21
• How high is your desk? A. 1 mB. 1 km C. 10 ftD. 10 cm
Elementary Math
Relative Humidity = _(actual) mixing ratio_____ Saturation mixing ratio
Compute the relative humidity using the table.
The air (ambient) temperature = 14oC.The dew point temperature = 4oC a. 19.8% c. 25%b. 29% d. 50%
What’s Happening in the World ?
1st Class – We’ll End By View a Passage of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station !
• What Percentage of Students Followed Me Outside??– 10– 25– 50– 75– 100
A View from the “Far Side”What’s at the next level?
Majoring in a four-year physical/other science program
Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist
Systems Science Perspective - Issues• Earth Systems Science (e.g., NASA; Sustainability)• Systems thinking/modeling (multi-tasking)• Everything is connected (trans-disciplinary)• Techno-driven; software/hardware (awareness)• Technical skills/abilities (instrumentation)• Analytic/Interpretation (experiences)• Depth besides breadth (interest)• Student “readiness” (programs)
No “Black Boxes”Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist
How to “Get” these Experiences?• Summer Programs (science/other)• Intern Programs (exploratory)• Science Fairs (inquiry-based)• Competitions (end-goals)• Clubs (scientific community)• Organizations (connections)• Outreach (outside influences)
INVOLVEMENT & NETWORKINGDr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist
Curricular Preparation?• Math, math, and more math coursework• Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology• Computer Science (programming), Statistics
• Writing, Communications, Speaking• Tech-Writing, Political Science, Business, Law
• Design, Marketing, Policy, History, Public-Admin, Social Work, similarOften-Reinforcing-Expansive-Options for Success in
Science! Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist
Meteorologists
• 24 Credits of meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:– 6 Credits - atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics– 6 Credits - weather analysis and prediction
(synoptic/mesoscale)– 3 Credits - physical meteorology– 2+ Credits - remote sensing / instrumentation.
• 6 Credits – physics (calculus based)• 3 Credits - ordinary differential equations• 9+ Credits - appropriate physical sciences