Welcome to the on-line application for the
2000 EXPLORES! Program

for teachers outside the state of Florida

 - Florida teachers please apply here!


EXPLORES! Teacher Interest Questionnaire



The Florida EXPLORES! project invites the participation of up to 20 out-of-state teachers for 2000. We will add another 25-30 weather satellite receiving stations in Florida K-12 schools in 2000. We would like to identify a pool of out-of-state teachers interested in using the equipment described in our application package, provided you are interested in using the equipment to teach about the natural environment around us. We believe that meteorological satellites and equipment to display the images gathered by them can be useful tools to help students better understand concepts in meteorology, other earth and natural sciences, and the mathematical and computer sciences. If you would like to apply, please take some time to answer the questions posed below. Since this program is funded by the State of Florida, no state funds can be used to assist out-of-state teachers interested in applying. A breakdown of additional costs normally paid for by the project for Florida teachers is provided here.

We *MUST* receive your full application by Friday, 18 February 2000. Thank you for your cooperation. We anticipate completing our screening on or about March 1; we will choose up to 20 out of state teachers to join us this year.


For more background information on EXPLORES!, follow this link.
Brought to you by the Florida State University Meteorology Department with the support of the Technological Research and Development Authority and the Florida Department of Education. Other supporting agencies are NASA and the National Weather Service/NOAA.

You may download the Teacher Information/Endorsements Page from here.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST MAIL OR FAX THE PAGE ON TEACHER INFORMATION / ENDORSEMENTS

Mail/Fax your signature page by the deadline of 18 February 2000 to:

Florida EXPLORES!
Department of Meteorology 4520
The Florida State University
Tallahassee FL 32306-4520
(850) 644-3465 (voice) / (850) 644-9642 (fax)


Sincerely yours,


Dr. Paul Ruscher - Associate Professor
Mr. Rick Lusher - Assistant in Meteorology


We will issue you a receipt for your application, but your application will not be considered complete until we have received your written or faxed cover sheet (which will also be acknowledged).

TEACHER INFORMATION

Name
Title
School Name
School Address
City
County
State
Zip Code

Home Address
City
State
Zip Code
Home Phone
School Phone
School FAX
Your Email Address
School Principal
Science Coordinator


1. Please give information about your academic background, including major field, degrees earned, where earned, when earned, etc.

2. Please list your college science, mathematics, and geography courses (how many hours/credits of each?).

(a) Astronomy
(b) Biology
(c) Chemistry
(d) Geography
(e) Geology
(f) Mathematics
(g) Meteorology
(h) Oceanography
(i) Physics
(j) Social Science
(k) Space Science

3. Please tell us what classes and levels you teach in (a) 1999/2000 and project for (b) 2000/2001 if you can.

(a) 99/00
(b) 00/01

4. Please tell us if your school can already identify the type of computer you would use if selected to be a part of this project, and if it will be part of a microcomputer lab or will it stand alone in a single classroom. We expect that all of the sites funded will require a DEDICATED IBM COMPATIBLE Pentium PC (*NOT IBM BRAND*) computer TO BE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL (minimum specifications are listed separately on another page). A Pentium II or III computer will work very well and will process images more quickly. Sorry, we cannot work with Macintosh computers as the primary receiver, although we also provide resources for schools with Macintosh computers IN ADDITION TO THE PC.
View a comprehensive list of computer requirements here.

(a) Is the computer to be used part of a lab of computers?
(b) Is the type of computer to be dedicated for EXPLORES! use already known?

5. Please tell us if you have a modem available to connect to outside lines, and if yes, what is the maximum baud rate you can use on your modem. Our project requires that a phone line be located near the computer that also serves as your groundstation. Also, please tell us your Internet service provider (commercial or state/district), and whether it is a local call or not. You will need a 28800 baud V.34 modem for this project. Modem is not needed if you have a direct connection to the Internet.
a. Modem installed?
b. Maximum baud rate or Network connection?

6. The computer to be used with this project should have at least 16 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB hard disk drive, and a 14 inch color XVGA monitor with 1024 x 768 x 256 and 0.28 dot pitch capability.
a. How much memory (RAM) is available on the PC that would be used with this project?
b. How much hard disk space is available on the PC that would be used with this project?
c. Is your district/school willing to commit the resources necessary (about $1000-$2000 depending on vendor and specifications - do not use IBM brands without checking with us first) to get you the computer required if you do not already have it?

7. Would you be willing and able to attend a 7-8 day workshop in Brevard County, Florida in late July (tentative at this time) to learn about the construction and use of your weather satellite ground station? The workshop will present some general meteorology curriculum materials as well as practical training in satellite image interpretation (clouds, storms, other meteorological and related phenomena).

Click here for a sample workshop agenda.

8. Would you be willing to serve as the focus person for your school for activities related to use of the ground station? This would be primarily for the benefit of the students and other teachers in your school.

9. Would you be willing to allow other neighboring schools in your and nearby districts access to your weather satellite system for demonstration purposes? This would entail occasionally hosting a nearby school to illustrate how your system works and how you use it in a classroom setting.

10. Would you be willing to attend further workshops as a mentor in the use of ground station equipment, in the event funding continues to allow for installation of more ground stations across the state?


11. Does your school have a science club? If yes, please describe some typical activities.


12. Do your students participate in local, regional, and State Science Fairs? If yes, what is the name of your region?


13. Please list any weather-related instruments and/or projects you already use in your present curriculum.


14. What is your T-shirt size?

15. The satellite groundstation will be a TURNKEY SYSTEM which will include some maintenance provided by the supplier. (a) Would you be responsible for seeing that the installation is complete {software, installation of video board, receiver board, monitor, and modem, into your PC if needed, and FM dipole antenna and cables}? This may require the cooperation of your industrial arts faculty or staff, as the antenna will need to be located on the roof of your school. In addition, a network line or phone line into the classroom has been proven to be an effective means of using the equipment.

(b) Would you, as primary user/focal point for your weather satellite groundstation, be willing to call the supplier of the equipment and software (or us at EXPLORES!) in the event technical support is required?

(c) Would you be able to bring the PC and monitor to the workshop with you to do the installation and testing there?

(d) Do you anticipate having any trouble having an antenna installed on the roof of your school?


16. Would you be willing to accept future equipment upgrades and write a lesson plan or two as part of this project once we get you started?

17. Would you be willing to provide EXPLORES! staff a statement from your school certifying that the ground station will be purchased by May of 2000, that a computer has been identified for its use, and that the financial resources are available to meet the extra costs described above?

18. Do you have access to the World Wide Web (WWW) at school?
Home?
Please note: We anticipate requiring access to the WWW for participation in the program.

19. Does your school operate its own Homepage on the WWW?
If yes, what is the http address?

20. How is the WWW used to enhance your classroom activites? Please ignore posting errors here on older (non-Power) Macs...it appears that your submissions will be ok from this point on, even though error messages may appear. We are working on the problem.


The next two questions address the following point: There has been attention in the last eight years towards promoting equality in the science classroom, particularly for girls and minorities, groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.

21. How do you handle gender equity in your classroom?


22. How do you handle racial or disadvantaged groups' equity in your classroom?


23. How did you hear about Florida EXPLORES!?


24. Are you or is your school involved in GLOBE or any other network-based projects which involve sharing of earth science/geoscience data, curricula, etc.? If so please briefly describe your involvement.


25. Please write a few paragraphs telling us why you should be chosen for this project and why you and your school are particularly well- suited for this project. In particular, tell us how you envisage using a weather satellite ground station in your classes.