Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Improving Weather and Climate Understanding in Ohio Workshop Series

Lightning lighting up the night sky
October 10 - November 1, 2024
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Various Locations

Ohio’s environmental educators - including naturalists, soil and water professionals, classroom teachers, park rangers, extension educators, and volunteers – deliver programs that reach thousands of Ohioans annually. The Improving Weather and Climate Understanding in Ohio program will help to increase knowledge, skills, and capacity of environmental educators and bolster access to programs and resources on Ohio relevant weather and climate topics for use in both public and professional environmental education. 

The workshop will be offered via five in-person sessions around the state thanks to an Ohio State Energy Partners grant, and will provide entry-level background on Ohio’s weather and climate, scalable indoor and field activities, time for questions, and brainstorming opportunities to integrate content into current programming. The content, learning experiences, and training opportunities to explore how climate and weather topics could be integrated into public programs reaching diverse audiences across Ohio, and are based on text created for the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program by a collaboration of Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center and OSU Extension.  

Weather captivates with its awe and power and affords ways to connect Ohioans to their natural environment. The workshop and materials are specifically designed to address barriers that educators and volunteers have reported to integrating weather, climate, and climate change into their work, including: 1) a lack of knowledge and experience; (2) concerns over potential controversy; and (3) lack of awareness of applicable curricula and field activities, especially for Ohio. Furthermore, research shows that an overwhelming percentage of Ohioans want to learn about climate change but are seldom given chances to even discuss it. 

Contact: Geddy Davis, davis.5694@osu.edu, 567-712-4841

Workshop Schedule

  • Introduction - 15 min

  • Part 1: Weather and Climate - 1 hr

  • Part 2: Bringing Science Local - 45 min 

  • Break - 20 min

  • Part 3: Impacts - 1 hr 

  • Part 4: Citizen Science and Understanding Your Audience - 1 hr 15 min

  • Session Total: 4 hrs 35 min