Western Illinois University: Education, Outreach and Research (WIUDOW) CASE STUDY
Principal Investigator :: Ms. Redina Herman The Doppler on Wheels (DOW) was deployed to Western Illinois University (WIU) from 16 Septem- ber to 4 October 2013. The DOW was used as part of a Principles of Meteorological Instrumentation course, which had an enrollment of 19 undergraduate Meteorology majors, ranging from sophomores to seniors. There were nine student-led field deployments to various sites in west-central Illinois. Addi- tionally, the DOW was used for seven outreach events the community groups and local schools.
Educational Objectives
The deployment of the DOW to WIU had several goals, includ- ing: to introduce students to the operation of a research radar; to plan and carry out a field project, including scanning strategy, site selection and flexibility while in the field; and to visualize radar data using SOLO3 and interpret the data to gain insight into the observed phenomena.
Deployment and Class Procedures
Each student designed and implemented a field research proj- ect that utilized the DOW. As part of their project students were required to complete a site analysis, carry out a five-hour deployment using the DOW, and analyze the data. Special attention was given the instrument characteristics and trouble- shooting techniques during field work rather than radar meteorology principles.
University of Western Illinois student collects data with the DOW for her class project.
Not all of the students in the class were familiar with radar meteorology principles; therefore a lot of information was covered in lecture before the DOW arrived. Students were given reading assignments on radar data interpretation, especially clear-air returns. West-central Illinois was expe- riencing a persistent dry period when the DOW arrived in late September, so the class planning focused on predominately clear-air projects. This was fortunate because it only rained twice during the entire time the DOW was at WIU.
During the first week of the deployment the students received special training by DOW technicians into order to operate the radar and conduct their research for future data analysis projects. Training included topics such as scanning strategies, site selection, and trouble shooting systems.
Outreach Activities
During the visit to WIU, the DOW reached over 1400 people at seven outreach events including WIU students from other departments, students from local K-12 schools, and members from the Macomb, IL community and surrounding areas.
Lessons Learned
Students learned that a field project is not as simple as driving to a location, collecting data, and then coming home. It took time set up at the deployment site, and at times the site was not as expected and relocation was required. Equipment didn’t always work correctly and the problem had to be rectified before operations could resume. Scanning strategies occasionally needed to be altered after initial look at data or the scope of the original project needed to change. These elements of field research that the students experienced first-hand provided a valuable lesson in understanding the importance of adaptability and modification.
Read the complete summary:
https://www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/wiudow
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