Local teachers join statewide, national WeatherNet system in DRI program to enhance science and math instruction.
Teachers at 37 Schools in Nevada are part of a statewide network that is using the weather as a way to
improve science and math instruction. Teachers and students are taking advantage of new computers,
meteorological stations, and live video weather cameras provided through the Desert Research Institute’s
WeatherNet program to add interest and daily relevance to traditional instructional methods.
Dr. Claudia Miner, DRI vice president for institutional advancement and WeatherNet coordinator, said the
schools’ weather stations are part of an Internet connected weather reporting network. Miner said the
schools’ teachers attended training programs at DRI in Reno and Las Vegas to become familiar with special
weather-based course material prepared by AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc.
"Students can use their own local weather to learn about many areas of science such as meteorology,
physics, geography, climate, hydrology -- almost any environmental topic," she said.
"Math lessons can show them how to interpret the significance of weather events, and comparing their own
weather conditions with other locations gives them an appreciation for how peoples’ lives are different
because of the weather."
Miner said supporting K-12 science education is a strong community objective for DRI, which is the
environmental research division of the University and Community College System of Nevada. DRI operates
worldwide out of major research facilities in Las Vegas and Reno. DRI’s Western Regional Climate Center,
one of six federally designation climate centers nationwide, provides data and technical support for the
WeatherNet sites.
Miner said the WeatherNet program was launched by SBC Nevada Bell as part of a proposal to the Nevada
Public Utilities Commission to meet requirements for improving rural communications capabilities.
Bob Bass, SBC Nevada Bell external affairs manager and the company’s WeatherNet coordinator, said SBC
suggested extending broadband internet service to selected schools and providing them with the computers,
video cameras and weather stations so they could become part of the international AWS WeatherNet network
as an educational enhancement.
Former SBC Nevada Bell President Marsha Lindsay pushed the proposal because of the dramatic success of
SBC’s sponsorship of WeatherNet in San Diego schools when she worked there prior to moving to Nevada. Her
successor in Nevada, current SBC Nevada Bell President Sylvia Samano, successfully urged the SBC
Foundation to extended SBC’s sponsorship to include six additional “metro” schools in the Reno-Sparks
area.
KOLO TV News Channel 8 in Reno and KLAS TV Channel 8 in Las Vegas are also affiliated with DRI’s
WeatherNet programs. The two stations have exclusive contractual agreements with AWS Convergence
Technologies to use AWS’ weather network as part of their on-air weather reports in their respective
television markets. KLAS Weather Anchor Kevin Janison and KOLO Weather Anchor Jeff Martinez both refer
to the live reports to show current conditions at the WeatherNet schools.
Anyone with Internet access can download AWS’ free "WeatherBug" software that allows users to check local
conditions at the thousands of online sites, including live, time-lapse video image weather conditions.
It is available at:http://ww3.weatherbug.com/aws/index.asp.
A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a
full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international
scale. Nearly 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct some 150
research projects at DRI annually. Approximately 85 percent of DRI's annual $35 million operating budget
consists of research grants and contracts obtained by its scientists. The balance is received from the
state of Nevada for administrative costs.