STEM

Earth Networks Partners with WeatherSTEM to Produce Weather-Related STEM Curricula

• By Richard Chang
• 01/19/17

Earth Networks, a Maryland-based weather data company, is partnering with WeatherSTEM to deliver to schools STEM curricula built around hyperlocal weather data.

WeatherSTEM powered by Earth Networks combines real-time observations from Earth Networks’ global network of climate, lightning and greenhouse gas monitoring sensors with the WeatherSTEM safety alert platform to provide schools with a next-generation weather data-based STEM curricula, while protecting students against dangerous weather events.

WeatherSTEM is a network of weather stations, collected and distributed atmospheric data and STEM-based curricula for grades K–12. WeatherSTEM is also a web-based instructional program that enables K–12 schools to use live weather and environmental data to improve student achievement across science, technology, math and geography, according to a news release.

“With WeatherSTEM onsite at our school, teachers can snowball student-driven learning in the classroom with real-world data that impacts students’ everyday lives,” said Amy Monahan, K–12 STEM specialist at Volusia County Schools in Florida, in a statement. “Students are in charge of what they want to learn. They’re not given a dataset. They’re creating the dataset.”

Here are some components to the Earth Networks-WeatherSTEM partnership, as they relate to K–12 schools:

• Customized, branded weather stations that measure real-time conditions and include access to an online education portal networked to 12,000 other weather stations at organizations across the United States;
• Innovative online, visual STEM curricula for K–12 schools that are built around live data and information that come directly from the weather stations;
• Outdoor alerting safety package that provides customizable notifications and alerts for all types of severe weather events including lightning and heat stress, keeping student athletes, spectators and visitors safe; and
• Social media integration to foster community building and engagement, as every WeatherSTEM weather station has its own social media presence and can send out automated information on Twitter or Facebook about the weather at the school/organization on a set schedule.

“Early exposure to weather and science builds a strong foundation for future educational opportunities and careers in STEM fields,” said Edward Mansouri, CEO of WeatherSTEM, in a statement.

For more information about the partnership, visit this site.