NEWS

WNYT meteorologist Jason Gough offers timely lessons in weather analysis, forecasting

June 6, 2011 - The same day a tornado watch was issued for the Capital Region, students at CMS were getting a first-hand look at the technology used to forecast the weather as WNYT meteorologist Jason Gough analyzed real-time data in the middle school library with more than 150 students looking on. Gough was able to share with the students a number of online tools used in weather forcasting and answered dozens of weather-related questions from the students.

Tornadoes were of particular interest to the students, following the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Students asked Mr. Gough to clarify the difference between a storm "watch" and a storm "warning". He responded that a "watch" means that severe weather in a particular area is possible and a "warning" means that severe weather in a given area is imminent. He was able to reassure students with a clever reminder: "You WATCH for a WARNING." If a severe weather "watch" is upgraded to a "warning," residents living in the warning area should take cover.

Gough's visit was part of a Math-Science Partnership Grant for Project-Based Learning that focuses on science content at the middle school level and teacher leadership with highered/business/school connections. Teachers at CMS worked with educators from other area schools to put the program in place at the middle school. It is a multi-year grant that will continue next year.

For their visit by Mr. Gough, the students were assigned an "entry document" they needed to complete as part of the lesson. The entry document is designed to spark the students' interest in the topic/project they will be pursuing. The students will conclude their unit in weather/meteorology by gathering data here at the middle school and designing their own weather report.

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