1998 ASR Home
Back
Education Index
Next
NCAR Home

Education Overview

NCAR's educational activities include programs that reach groups at a variety of educational levels. Scientific visitor programs, graduate research assistantships, postdoctoral appointments, colloquia, seminars and workshops support university programs to educate the next generations of scientists, engineers, and scholars in general. Many of these programs are highlighted in division chapters elsewhere in this report. For example, the  Advanced Study Program (ASP) provides students and graduates the opportunity to explore their educational and scientific interests in the laboratory setting. The Scientific Computing Division's (SCD)  Classroom Computing Grants provide faculty and students access to high performance computing technologies in their classrooms. Another program, Significant Opportunities for Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) creates a pipeline for ethnically diverse college and university students to enter careers in the atmospheric and related sciences, including engineering, mathematics and the social sciences.

NCAR also places a high priority on K-12 educational outreach, as well as on other educational programs that increase public awareness and understanding of atmospheric science issues. Because climate, pollution, and the environment are part of the everyday awareness of young people, the atmospheric sciences offer an unusual opportunity to teach science in engaging, relevant ways. NCAR's Education and Tour Program, Visual Communications and LEARN (Laboratory Experience in Atmospheric Research at NCAR) help teachers exploit this opportunity as well as reach out to students and the general public. SCD's Colorado Computational Science Fair encourages high school students to utilize computing resources beyond the capabilities of secondary schools.

This chapter documents formally organized programs. In addition, individual staff throughout NCAR serve as graduate advisors or adjunct faculty at universities, make presentations to classes and public groups, write textbooks or textbook chapters, judge science fairs, or tutor elementary through secondary school students in math and science.