Bob Mackay

Physics and Meteorology

Clark College

Bob MacKay is a professor in the physics and meteorology departments at Clark College in Vancouver, WA, teaching courses in introductory physics, physical science, and meteorology.    He also teaches courses in environmental modeling and Earth’s climate for Washington State University (Vancouver).   His past research interests include climate modeling and understanding the dynamic connections between atmospheric chemistry and climate change.  Over his 30 year science education career he has developed many interactive learning experiences for his science students.  Recently he has been exploring online delivery through hybrid courses using a format of face to face lab and online “lecture”.

Workshop Leader, Website Contributor

Website Content Contributions

Course Modules (7)

Unit 2: Earth's Atmosphere and Its Influence on Temperature part of Earths Thermostat
This unit investigates the role of the atmosphere on incoming solar and outgoing terrestrial radiation and analyzes modern trends in greenhouse gas concentrations. Students first investigate radiation spectra to ...

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Activities (13)

Using a Mass Balance Model to Understand Carbon Dioxide and its Connection to Global Warming part of Quantitative Skills:Activity Collection
Students explore the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 40 years with an interactive on-line model.

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Courses (2)

Robert MacKay: Using Earth's Thermostat in Meteorology 101: The Atmosphere and the Environment at Clark College part of Earths Thermostat
Earth's Thermostat module engaged my introductory meteorology students in actively learning about energy flows and balances within the Earth system. Our module units help my student learn by analyzing data using the methods of geoscience. Systems thinking in relation to Earth's energy balance climate and society is also a central theme of our module.

Global Climate Change and Earth History part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Course
This course introduces students to Global Change Science through lecture presentations, classroom discussions, assigned readings, and activities designed specifically to complement lecture topics. The course is ...

Teaching Method Module (1)

Teaching With Models part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Models
Created by Bob MacKay, Clark College "Scientific practice involves the construction, validation and application of scientific models, so science instruction should be designed to engage students in making and ...

Essays (2)

Using models in geoscience part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Essays
Using models in geoscience Bob Mackay, Physics & Meteorology, Clark College and Washington State University My geoscience career started over 30 years ago in solid earth geophysics, has touched on physical ...

Perspective on Complex Systems part of Complex Systems:Workshop 2010:Participant Essays
Bob MacKay, Clark College and Washington State University This essay begins with a brief description of my background in teaching, followed by my view of the important building blocks required for student ...