Welcome
Dear soon-to-be climate modelers,
In bringing users into direct contact with complex computer models such as a Global Climate Model (GCM), EdGCM exposes the strengths and weaknesses of computer models in a way that scientific papers and newspaper articles frequently obscure. The danger in creating a point-and-click interface for a GCM is that users might be tempted to treat the model as a black box, and we would then not be achieving our overarching goal: to encourage more people to learn more about global climate modeling. EdGCM allows people to become familiar with both the scientific process and the tools of the trade that are integral to a climate scientist's research. We hope that courses employing EdGCM will encourage more students to pursue Earth science careers, and that the experience will allow them to participate in climate research earlier in their education. However, we also hope that all who use EdGCM in any fashion will become better informed about climate change issues that effect everyone on the planet. If EdGCM helps to demystify this complex but crucial subject matter, then it is fulfilling a key objective.
EdGCM does not require a sophisticated understanding of climate to use, but an understanding of the atmosphere, oceans and geology will definitely enrich the experience. There are currently many educators who have already produced, or are in the process of producing, teaching materials that greatly enhance EdGCM’s potential as a learning tool. One of our future goals is to help organize and distribute such materials to the community. EdGCM continues to be pilot-tested in courses that range from middle school to graduate level, and across several disciplines. It is also being used for research projects at both NASA and Columbia University and in many countries around the world. If you are a teacher or researcher and would like to learn more about the EdGCM Cooperative effort, please contact us!
Happy Modeling!
Dr. Mark Chandler, Director, The EdGCM Cooperative Project
