National STEM Day, celebrated annually on November 8 (often written as NOV8, a play on the word “innovate”) is an opportunity for kids (and kids at heart) to explore and pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
To help recognize STEM Day, check out some of AMS’s weather, water, and climate resources. Search that weather term that’s been shelved in the back of your brain, or learn about Doppler radar, causes of climate change, El Niño, and other meteorology concepts from our Sketchplanations catalog.
Ever wonder why STEM concepts are so critical to advancing weather, water, and climate science? We asked Dave Chapman, high school science teacher (recently retired after 44 years in the classroom), former leader of AMS DataStreme education workshops and online courses, and member and former chair of the AMS Board on Outreach and Pre-college Education.
“In this time when misinformation is too common, it is extremely important that good STEM education occurs to counter that misinformation,” Chapman says. “ AMS’s Education Program is one of the national leaders in providing and promoting sound STEM education for pre-college educators. Those educators not only reach a huge number of youth, but we often hear from parents that their children share what they have learned in school. Good teaching reaches many people in the community. And good STEM education not only inspires and prepares the next generation of scientists, it also builds support for the work of scientists in all roles. Funding from government, universities, and other institutions depends on a general public which understands and appreciates the importance of the scientific work.”
