DEVELOPING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH THROUGH INTEGRATING THE R-LANGUAGE INTO AN APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY COURSE

Introducing undergraduate students to an open source programming language develops their skills and ability to perform research. The R-language in particular provides an ideal tool for student analysis since it introduces students to object-oriented programming, statistical analysis, data preparation and visualization. Additionally, it is freely available and can bring students into the active users’ network that has emerged. Given recent emphasis on improving STEM practices in education, using engaging exercises enabled by analyzing data in the R environment turns the students into active participants in their learning. Laboratory exercises using R were introduced in an Applied Climatology course. These exercises gave students experience with actual data that enhanced the course material. At the end of the course, students developed their own research topic and performed basic R-analysis of a data set. The R environment is useful in a science classroom and reinforces the scientific method through its ability to reproduce results based on a model of code sharing. Finally, through its transcendence of academia, it is a valuable skill for students that plan to enter graduate school or the job market.