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. 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 course availability, recruits and selects participants, arranges and holds local meetings, individually mentors participants on course understandings and activities, and provides participant evaluations. 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.
Applicants 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. If you are reading this on-screen with your own equipment and you can print it out, you are essentially ready for DataStreme participation. The only other equipment requirement is access to a facsimile machine for transmitting and receiving materials between you and your LIT mentor. You will be prepared to act as your school's weather education resource person. Learn weather fundamentals via a unique electronically delivered distance-learning course that emphasizes the study of weather as it happens.