2015 Media Kit The WeatherSTEM mission is to connect classrooms and communities to the world around them.
Overview WeatherSTEM is a personalized integration of weather instruments, a customized weather portal, data, and STEM-based curriculum. A variety of weather and agricultural sensors measure readings every minute, and these measurements are stored in the cloud, freely accessible for research and analysis using WeatherSTEM s data mining tools. A growing library of standards-aligned lessons and activities use live data for teaching and learning. Each installation also comes with a customized weather portal that provides current readings, forecasts, lightning detection, alerts, and much more. 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 2
Background The roots of WeatherSTEM date back to the childhood of the company s founder, Edward Mansouri, who has had a lifelong passion for weather. While completing his master s degree in meteorology from Florida State University, Mansouri realized the need for better online education software and created Educator, the learning management system used by the Florida Virtual School for the past 13 years. In the spring of 2013, Mansouri had new a vision for the fusion his extensive experience with learning technology and his passion for meteorology. WeatherSTEM was born. Locations & Need At its heart WeatherSTEM is an educational product focused on meeting the needs of students, teachers, and school administrators. From a curriculum perspective WeatherSTEM offers 21st century learning using STEM-based and standardsaligned lessons, dynamically integrated with live measurements from weather instruments located on campus. From a safety perspective WeatherSTEM offers both lightning detection and wet bulb globe temperature measurements that help keep students safe and parents informed. WeatherSTEM is also much more than an educational product, and there is a growing interest from farms, universities, parks, and museums. Anyone interested in measuring and researching weather or agricultural trends with extremely localized data captured by a wide variety of sensors and cameras can benefit from the many features of WeatherSTEM. 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 3
Features Listed below is a closer look at the many features and capabilities of WeatherSTEM. Weather Instruments Most of the weather instruments are built into a weather station customized with the school logo and colors. This station, known as the Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS), transmits data wirelessly to a console connected to the schools network. A variety of weather conditions are measured every minute, including: Temperature and Humidity Solar and UV Radiation Barometric Pressure Rain Rate and Rainfall Wind Speed and Direction Wet Bulb Globe Temperature And More! Live images of the sky overhead are taken by weatherproof camera, and they are combined at the end of each day into a time-lapse movie. Agricultural measurements can also be taken with a variety of sensors and cameras designed for gardens, greenhouses, and aquaponics tanks. Customized Weather Portal A customized weather portal gives schools their very own community weather websites. This portal is also accessible via custom iphone and Android apps. A partnership is also formed with the Weather Underground, providing them with local weather measurements and receiving forecasts and alerts. All of the measurements from the weather instruments are displayed on this weather station page, including: Current Weather Conditions Forecasts and Alerts Radar Satellite Sky Video Station Map Upper Air ZapMap (Lightning Detection) Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Camera and Video Astronomy (Solar, Lunar, and Planetary) Historical (Almanac) Weather-related Television Programming Sports History + Weather 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 4
Data From the moment a new WeatherSTEM Unit goes online, all measurements from the instruments are updated every minute and are stored in a searchable database of the site s weather data. Images from sky cameras are also stored and are accessible for investigation in relationship to the data gathered by the other sensors. Data mining tools enable easy researching and trend analysis for all sensors and images. An open API enables exploration and application of computer programming concepts. STEM-Based Curriculum A growing library of STEM-based lessons and activities use live data to dynamically enhance and personalize instruction. Each lesson is aligned with and linked to educational standards and is created from a perspective of 21st century learning. Additionally, a course in weather and climate science is in development that investigates the story of climate from basic science to global conceptual models. In the course, students will incorporate all aspects of STEM to solve problems, ask questions and make predictions. Social Alerts A benefit of creating a personal WeatherSTEM account is the ability to created custom weather notifications. The events, messages, and devices for these alerts are very flexible and can play a vital role in school safety and planning. In addition to personalized notifications, customized and weather-focused Facebook pages and Twitter accounts are created, providing daily weather reports and real-time alerts for followers. Time-lapse videos of the overhead sky are also posted each day to YouTube. Additionally, individuals can share inspired photos of weather using the SocialSky application. 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 5
Testimonials WeatherSTEM is functional and seamless for my class needs. Students no longer ask about the weather; they predict the weather. WeatherSTEM is not just a website; it s a powerful resource. Edward Wolff, 5th grade teacher WeatherSTEM is amazing with all the possibilities it offers to our students from K-12. The staff at WeatherSTEM is very supportive with questions and building curriculum. Maria McGovern, District Technology Coordinator Our outdoor sport coaches use our WeatherSTEM site daily to plan or even cancel practices based on the weather! Michael Focht, Director of Science Department The installation was quick and easy, and we had data immediately. We are now linked together with other schools which allows us to compare temperature and precipitation data and note the differences between the coast and inland. The Twitter and Facebook feeds are really fun and support our online community and social networking. Michelle Hock, high school teacher One of the most exciting opportunities for our schools is the opportunity to include WeatherSTEM as a part of instruction. The WeatherSTEM team has already launched a number of units that are correlated to Florida Standards. These involve students and teachers in analysis of real data collected from the network of WeatherSTEM stations. Interdisciplinary connections are a natural fit, as classrooms explore the world around them. JoAnne Glenn, principal The WeatherSTEM team s personalized approach to customer service really reflects their organization s commitment to bringing high-quality, real-world STEM experiences to students in Florida s public schools. Additionally, the WeatherSTEM team has invested time and energy into on-site professional development sessions that engage classroom teachers in hands-on practice, while encouraging teachers to provide feedback that shapes future development. Rarely do practitioners have a chance to work with a company so devoted to changing outcomes and stimulating interest in STEM-related fields. JoAnne Glenn, principal The weather station a great asset to our curriculum, as well as a highly beneficial tool for our coaches that must constantly monitor the weather conditions. The added bonus is that it is user-friendly and loved by our teachers, students and parents! Maria Behnken, middle school science teacher 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 6
Media Listed below are several videos and articles featuring WeatherSTEM. Football Team s Secret Weather Weapon (The Weather Channel) http://adstest.epic.weather.com/video/football-teams-secret-weather-weapon-55075 WeatherSTEM Project Protecting Student Athletes! (Penn State COIL) http://coil.psu.edu/blog/weatherstem-project-protecting-student-athletes/ WeatherSTEM in Pasco County Schools (Pasco County Schools YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzph2b0arrg Weather weenies rejoice: Arboretum device offers more data (Penn State COIL) http://news.psu.edu/story/332208/2014/10/28/academics/weather-weenies-rejoice-arboretumdevice-offers-more-data WeatherSTEM Weather World Interview (Weather World YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eip9hzxu-fa Maclay WeatherSTEM (WCTV Tallahassee) http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/maclay-weatherstem-277811471.html Lincoln High s WeatherSTEM applications to appear on The Weather Channel (Tallahassee Democrat) http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/money/2014/09/16/lincoln-highs-weatherstem-applicationsto-appear-on-the-weather-channel/15741257/ Cutting Edge Weather Technology Blows Into Madison County Schools (Madison County Carrier) http://www.greenepublishing.com/cutting-edge-weather-technology-blows-into-madison-countyschools/ Fischer Speaker Series Recording Available WeatherSTEM: A Platform for Teaching Science with Live Data featuring Edward Mansouri (Penn State COIL) http://coil.psu.edu/blog/fischer-speaker-series-recording-available-weatherstem-a-platform-forteaching-science-with-live-data-featuring-edward-mansouri/ Weather stations bringing science to Leon classrooms (Tallahassee Democrat) http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20140320/business/303200030/weather-stations-bringingscience-leon-classrooms 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 7
Logos & Colors Pantone 3005c Pantone 368c Contact & Social Media Edward Mansouri, Founder emansouri@weatherstem.com WeatherSTEM 3019 N. Shannon Lakes Drive, Suite 203 Tallahassee, FL 32309 www.weatherstem.com blog.weatherstem.com www.facebook.com/wxstem twitter.com/weatherstem 2105 Media Kit www.weatherstem.com 850-668-9500 8