The CloudSat Downlink: The Newsletter of the CEN!
(continued from page 2…)!
“It would be wonderful if districts provided more
in-service training incorporating or focusing ons c i e n ce … Gl o b e a n d N A S A h a v e s o m a n ywonderful programs. I wonder how awareteachers are of these programs and resources.
Time is something always needed in the field ofeducation. I know my peers always appreciategood recommendations.”!
The CEN program not only helps the students
find new interests and possibilities but also helpsteachers learn more about how the world works
along with helping them develop and renew theirinterests as well.!
“I have learned a lot (content wise) from theprogram, but I also find such opportunities
renew my interests, fueling me to be a better
teacher.”!

AUGUST 2014

good and not so good, some of which inspired us
to greatness, and others not as memorable,
whether they were teachers in our classrooms ornot. What they impart on us along the way lasts
longe r than we r ea liz e. We do not al w a ys
remember the math, science, or literature theyteach us but we cannot deny that they have an
influence over what we do now and where wemight go.!
When asked what she would be doing when notteaching? !
“…. I would be a stay home mom traversing theglobe, but with a reality check I would dosomething with earth science – maybe be ageologist.”!
And the all-important question of which type ofcloud is her favorite?!
!

“Cumulus.”

Te a c h i n g i s o f t e n c o n s i d e r e d a n u n d e rappreciated profession. We’ve all had teachers,

INTERVIEW WITH A SCIENTIST: DR. SUZUKIThe CloudSat mission provides importantand unique data for scientists to work with.
One such scientist is Dr. Kentaro Suzuki. !
Dr. Suzuki is a research scientist here at
JPL using and analyzing CloudSat data tostudy cloud microphysics, the fundamental
process governing how clouds are formed
and how precipitation occurs from theclouds. He evaluates computer climate
m o d e l s a n d c o m p a r e s t h e r e s u l t s toobservation-based analyses in order to help!

improvethemodels. Climate
models often suﬀer
from uncertainty ofcloud processes so
it is important tounderstand of how
clouds function, andwhen and where
they precipitate. !
(continued on page 4…)!

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The CloudSat Downlink: The Newsletter of the CEN!
(Continued from page 3…)!
With a Ph.D in Earth and Planetary Sciencefrom the University of Tokyo, Dr. Suzuki
started out being interested in problem
solving. Having been challenged by tricky
geometry classes in junior high, his interest in
problem solving coincided with hisappreciation for the beauty of howmathematical procedures connect with thephysical world. Thus he chose to study physics.!
“I was attracted by beautiful patterns insome statistics of cloud variables obtained
from satellite remote sensing, and my goal was
to explain them using a numerical cloudmodel. This still is an important source of
motivation for me to pursue research evenn o w. I t h i n k I ’ v e l e a r n e d h o w to f i n d a
m o t i v a t i o n a n d h o w to e n j o y s c i e n t i f i cresearch from this experience.”!
Specializing in clouds came later during
graduate school. Realizing he preferredstudying physical rather than abstract topics,
climate science was a natural step in hisacademic pursuit.!
!
“I was so attracted at that time by how
simply and beautifully diﬀerent physical laws
are connected through mathematicalprocedures such as diﬀerential equations.”!
His initial interest in science stemmed from asight that many of us relate to: the stars. !
!
“The first encounter to my interest inscientific thing[s] goes back to my kid time – I
w a s a t t r a c te d to s e e [ i n g ] s t a r s t h r o u g htelescope that my dad purchased for me towatch the Halley’s Comet.”!

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AUGUST 2014!

When asked what he would be doing if hewasn’t a scientist, Dr. Suzuki’s love for scienceand math is clear – he’d be a science or mathteacher.!
Developing an Appreciation for Science inStudents!
Modern technology has made it easy forpeople around the world to communicate witheach other. The advancement of technology
has also increased the need and reliance of it inscience. However, Dr. Suzuki believes the key
to developing young students’ interest inscience involves using less technology. !
!
“Using IT (information technology) too
much has a danger of making students
dependent on information – such dependency
on information may kill the sense of wonder
for nature and also may lose the ability of
producing [their] own idea[s], which both are
critical for science.”!
Still, learning the basics of relevant technology
is important. Dr. Suzuki suggests providing theopportunities for students’ to learn the basics
along with developing their appreciation fornature in classrooms and school activities.!
As for aspiring young scientists? Study thefundamental subjects.!
“…in particular, basic mathematics andphysics, which are building blocks for modern
sciences of our field. I would also suggest[finding] what in particular interests you – thiswould help you identify your motivation topursue research in the future. “!

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