Lesson Plan for Week 1

Objectives

We are getting started with ISAT 420. Our goals for this week are to:

• Set a foundation for the semester ahead
• Get to know each other
• Discuss the purpose of this course
• Initiate collaborative environment and set expectations for learning
  
• Provide overview of course outline including:
  • Course topics & timeline
  • Methods of evaluation
  • Working environment
• Start to think about environmental issues where data and models can help

Specific learning goals

• Understand the relationship between environmental data, data analysis, models, and environmental issues
• Know the general approach to environmental data analysis
• Be aware of course policies

Materials

Note

I will be posting materials and readings. I will typically mention this during the preceding class, but I will not post readings as Canvas assignments. Please make sure that you check the course website.

For this week: There is no expectation to have read the materials ahead of class, but if you have time, check them out

• Syllabus

• Schedule

• Readings:

  NYT: America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow

  NYT: See How 2023 Shattered Records to Become the Hottest Year

  WaPo: Wildfires are bad for air quality. Fireworks can make the smoke worse.

Class Preparation

Note

I will assign readings that are necessary for class discussions at activities. These will be posted here. You will get the most out of this class if you come prepared!

Planned Agenda

• Introductions
• Mini Lecture: What is this course about
  • Course Objectives
  • Environmental Data/ Environmental Issues
• Class Expectations
  • Collaborative Learning
  • Review course policies
  • Evaluation Methods
  • Start co-developing a Code of Conduct
• Thinking about environmental issues
• Outlook to next week

Assignments

There is nothing due this week, but there will be in-class activities