February 10, 2006 -- GAUTIER -- Students enrolled in the environmental technology program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College have a new tool to use for hands-on training in their climate classes.
The AWS WeatherBug was erected in January and has been up and running since Feb. 1, instructor Todd Adams said. It provides students raw weather data they later process to develop weather models and determine local weather trends.
"They're not being trained to forecast," Adams said. "They're being trained to read the data and interpret it."
Students also have the benefit of hands-on experience with scientific equipment.
"The system features the standard meteorological package," Adams said. "Wind, rain, humidity, temperature and other features are measured and collected for historical data. We also integrate the technology into the classroom to study how weather patterns effect pollution in our atmosphere."
Bobby Fulton, a second-year environmental technology student, said gaining experience will difference devices used in a professional environment will be beneficial after he graduates.
"I'd like to work with some research company," he said. "I guess hands-on (training) will be better because then you'll know more about the equipment."
Adams said the WeatherBug system cost about $7,000 and the program took about three months to organize and implement.
"Our program is designed to be hands-on. This is just another piece of laboratory equipment they can use," Adams said.
Reporter Allison Mather can be reached at amather@themississippipress.com or (228)934-1495.
