Incorporating real-world data in the classroom: A unique approach to investigating Earth's Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate System

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) views introductory college-level courses to be important avenues for promoting scientific literacy among the public. Additionally, it is from these courses that future teachers often receive their only college-level training in the geosciences. As such, the AMS Education Program considers the development of high-caliber, scientifically-authentic educational materials to be one of its top priorities. In striving to reach that goal, the AMS has produced a suite of introductory college-level courses that engage students by investigating current topics in Earth science making use of the most up-to-date, real-world environmental data.