Course Description
Critical examination of the history of the atmospheric sciences in the U.S. with a focus on the foundational contributions of African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, and Native American scientists. In addition, the key roles of women, the LGBTQ community, people with physical disabilities, and neurodiverse people in the atmospheric sciences are highlighted.
Athena Title
Hidden Figures Atmospher Sci
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Successful completion of this course will provide the following learning outcomes: 1. (All students) Interaction with primary and secondary sources in order for students to create their own exposure to and rich understanding of the multicultural basis of physical science 2. (All students) Thinking critically about social processes that intersect with the creation and application of scientific knowledge 3. (B.S. majors in Atmospheric Sciences only) Contribute to satisfaction of SLO #5 (communication) and SLO #6 (ethics) for the Atmospheric Sciences major This course meets the following General Education Abilities for all students by accomplishing the specific learning objectives listed below: 4. Communicate effectively through writing - This is met by a series of writing assignments. 5. Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class and includes the following elements, which are accomplished through assignments, lecture, and classroom discussion/inquiry-based learning efforts: - Consider and engage opposing points of view -Support a consistent purpose and point of view -Assimilate, analyze, and present a body of information -Analyze arguments 6. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) is an important element of this course, as it seeks to link an understanding of the diversity of those who study atmospheric sciences with social impediments to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility. Moral reasoning is developed through lectures, critical writing assignments, classroom discussion, and inquiry-based learning activities.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Introductions; Who are “Hidden Figures,” and why are they hidden? Week 2: Critical examination of physical sciences culture and demographics: diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility Week 3: Discuss writing assignments and expectations Week 4: Tornadoes: Asian-American and African-American contributions Week 5: Hurricanes: The 1900 Galveston hurricane forecast bust and disaster, and its African-American and Cuban-American connections Week 6: Hurricanes in the 20th and 21st centuries and First Woman Week 7: Hidden Figures in weather prediction Week 8: IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) in broadcast meteorology Week 9: Midterm exam review and test Week 10: IDEA in satellite and radar remote sensing Week 11: Hidden Figures in observations of climate Week 12: The Asian-American and African-American pioneers of climate modeling Weeks 13-14: Challenges in climate communication with diverse populations Week 15: Is meteorology a neurodiverse science?; Where do we go from here?
Syllabus