Preparing Students for the Sciences in College

Dr. Paul J. CroftKean University

Jeffrey TongueSuffolk County Community College

Skills Lacking for an Introductory Natural Sciences Course

• No (limited) working knowledge of the Metric System

• Mathematically Challenged• Current Events – Limited Interest• Student “Quality” has decreased in the last 5

years.• Computer Skills Have Improved.

The Metric System• What is the approximate temperature outside in

Celsius? (currently) ? A. 72B. 20C. 123D. -21

• How high is your desk? A. 1 mB. 1 km C. 10 ftD. 10 cm

Elementary Math

Relative Humidity = _(actual) mixing ratio_____ Saturation mixing ratio

Compute the relative humidity using the table.

The air (ambient) temperature = 14oC.The dew point temperature = 4oC a. 19.8% c. 25%b. 29% d. 50%

What’s Happening in the World ?

1st Class – We’ll End By View a Passage of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station !

• What Percentage of Students Followed Me Outside??– 10– 25– 50– 75– 100

A View from the “Far Side”What’s at the next level?

Majoring in a four-year physical/other science program

Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist

Systems Science Perspective - Issues• Earth Systems Science (e.g., NASA; Sustainability)• Systems thinking/modeling (multi-tasking)• Everything is connected (trans-disciplinary)• Techno-driven; software/hardware (awareness)• Technical skills/abilities (instrumentation)• Analytic/Interpretation (experiences)• Depth besides breadth (interest)• Student “readiness” (programs)

No “Black Boxes”Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist

How to “Get” these Experiences?• Summer Programs (science/other)• Intern Programs (exploratory)• Science Fairs (inquiry-based)• Competitions (end-goals)• Clubs (scientific community)• Organizations (connections)• Outreach (outside influences)

INVOLVEMENT & NETWORKINGDr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist

Curricular Preparation?• Math, math, and more math coursework• Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology• Computer Science (programming), Statistics

• Writing, Communications, Speaking• Tech-Writing, Political Science, Business, Law

• Design, Marketing, Policy, History, Public-Admin, Social Work, similarOften-Reinforcing-Expansive-Options for Success in

Science! Dr. Paul J. Croft, Meteorologist

Meteorologists

• 24 Credits of meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:– 6 Credits - atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics– 6 Credits - weather analysis and prediction

(synoptic/mesoscale)– 3 Credits - physical meteorology– 2+ Credits - remote sensing / instrumentation.

• 6 Credits – physics (calculus based)• 3 Credits - ordinary differential equations• 9+ Credits - appropriate physical sciences