The 13-week course is offered twice a year to selected participants. It focuses on the study of the atmospheric environment through the use of electronically transmitted weather data and learning materials combined with Study Guide readings and investigations. The Project is funded by the National Science Foundation with assistance from the U.S. National Weather Service and the State University of New York College at Brockport. DataStreme expects to train over 4,000 teachers nationally. Teachers of any grade level or subject who have an interest in promoting the teaching of weather across the curriculum may apply.
Many participants are earth science, middle school and upper elementary teachers.
Applications are sought from persons who can demonstrate potential for leadership as resource teachers. They must be willing to act as resource persons for other teachers and as advocates for promoting the use of electronically-delivered environmental data in schools. The DataStreme course is offered through DataStreme LITs that are located around the country. LITs, typically composed of three members, coordinate the selection and delivery of the course to approximately eight teacher participants each semester. Each team advertises the local course availability, recruits and selects participants, arranges and holds local meetings, individually mentors participants on course understandings and activities, provides participant evaluations, and assists in developing Resource Teacher action plans.