CONNECTING WEATHER PRESSURE SYSTEMS AND 3-D AIR MOTION VIA THE AMS HAND TWIST MODEL

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) Education Program mission is to increase Earth science literacy and contribute to environmental awareness and resilience. One way in which this mission is addressed is by offering teacher professional development in the sciences served by the AMS, e.g. weather, ocean, and climate science. Dedicated to serving broad populations and with support from our partners, the AMS provides graduate courses for K-12 educators including online digital media and hands-on activities. Funding is provided by NOAA, ONR, NSF, and NASA with support from Lockheed Martin.

AMS courses have long employed active learning techniques, a concept that can be interpreted in two ways: (1) the textbook definition of allowing students to take control of their own learning and engage with the learning process, and (2) a literal interpretation where learners use physical means to learn a concept. The latter is epitomized by the AMS hand-twist model, the High and Low of It. In this activity, participants literally use their hands to predict and visualize the vertical and horizontal air motions associated with high and low pressure weather systems. Hands-on activities like this not only establish a basis for “3D thinking” (a learning process associated with Next Generation Science Standards [NGSS]), but also give teachers a tool to engage students in active STEM learning.

The High and Low of It hand-twist model is AMS’ contribution to inventive, easy-to-learn STEM education. Learners use their hands to mimic horizontal and vertical air motion in the atmosphere and the activity guides them to learn through further investigation. Understanding of other atmospheric phenomena becomes illuminated as students begin to think three-dimensionally. After completing the activity, not only have kinesthetic connections to vertical and horizontal airflow been established, but it is also then an easy extension to connect expected air motion to real life experiences by considering air source region characteristics including both temperature and moisture (e.g. oceans, lakes, polar or tropical climates, pollution, etc.) Our session will introduce the Hand Twist Model, and provide information about this and other AMS professional development opportunities including how to become a Certified AMS Teacher (ametsoc.org/CAT)!