Atmospheric Science Engagement for K - 12 Students through the School of Meteorology Outreach Organization

Friday 3:00pm-4:00pm SERC Building - Atrium | Poster #20
Poster Session Part of Friday Poster Session

Authors

Alethia Kielbasa, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Laura Shedd, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
The School of Meteorology Outreach (SoMO) is a registered student organization at the University of Oklahoma that was established in the Spring 2023 academic semester. Presently, our mission is "to serve our community and build relationships through atmospheric science and safety education and to provide graduate students with an opportunity to build education and communication skills." To reach neighboring communities, SoMO develops science curriculum with a focus on atmospheric science, visits local K-12 schools, and participates in larger local events. SoMO is an important organization seeking to support teachers and students foster an interest in atmospheric science. Where SoMO differs from many other organizations is in its utilization of teams: Website, Event Coordination, and Resources, allowing members to enhance skills in website design, curriculum development, and science communication to broader audiences. This structure has allowed SoMO to facilitate effective classroom visits and receive multiple requests from other schools as a result. Through repeat visits (at least two per semester to the same classroom) we are able to foster a relationship with students and teachers and to provide instruction tailored towards student needs. Additionally, we aim to improve development of our website that serves as a hub for visit requests as well as ready-to-use resources for students and teachers. This website also allows us to receive specific feedback from teachers on our resources and teaching during school visits. As an organization made up of graduate students, we are consistently seeking opportunities for professional development that would improve our teaching and curriculum design. One way we do this is through DEIJ literature reviews and discussions each semester that we then implement into curriculum design and teaching practices. SoMO has seen growth in members and participation in events and school visits and continues to seek opportunities to improve the effectiveness of its impact.