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H.O.W. – History of Winter Program

For over a decade Blue Ice International, in association with NASA, ran a winter camp based in Lake Placid, New York for teachers across the United States – the primary goal was to bring science

2001-2015 History of Winter (H.O.W.) – NASA/GSFC and Blue Ice International

The History of Winter (HOW) was a weeklong “teacher as scientist” Cryosphere- science focused field experience for elementary and secondary science teachers held annually in Lake Placid, NY - Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York was the host site for History of Winter (HOW) events. The school has a proud history of academic and athletic achievement. Northwood graduates have represented the United States in every Winter Olympics since 1968.

HOW utilized an experiential learning opportunity for teachers to connect firsthand with field research techniques common in the cryosphere sciences and used as ground validation for NASA satellite missions.

Education Enhancement - Teacher as Scientist

Teachers working alongside scientists, experience science inquiry firsthand, a benchmark experience on which they can build inquiry-based learning into their classroom. HOW teachers utilized research protocols, learn data organization and analysis, and the use of technology tools for fieldwork. HOW in-person instruction is supplemented by distance learning events, an array of online multimedia resources, and an online community project site.

HOW modeled science inquiry and technology integration and trains teachers in the use of 21st century technologies in the classroom. The emphasis is on how direct observation of snow and ice on Earth, in snow-packs and from lake ice cores, serves as ground validation for NASA satellite sensors and assists scientists in evaluating Climate Change.