Visiting Scientist & Teacher Workshops
Overview
Venus is the most Earth-like terrestrial planet in our solar, and its study has offered numerous insights into earth processes, especially atmospheric circulation patterns relating to weather and climate. Since, 2007, the VEX EPO team has offered teacher professional development experiences that utilize Venus atmospheric images from the European Space Agency’s Venus Express Mission.
The workshops provide the opportunity for teachers to analyze actual Venus Express data, using typical middle and high school math skills to track observable cloud features. Participating teachers are encouraged to discuss and compare results to facilitate an enhanced understanding of the scientific significance of tracking wind speeds and the relevant comparisons to earth’s own possible future climate scenarios.
Since 2008, the workshop has been conducted in Livermore, CA, Honolulu, HI, Madison, WI, and in Madrid, Spain with 20 teachers from 16 participating European nations. In 2013, The VEX EPO team held its “Unsolved Mysteries of Venus” workshop in conjunction with 2013 European Geosciences Union Meeting in Vienna, Austria.
Please contact us if you would like to arrange a Venus Express presentation for your school, club, or community.
