Weather Globe trot
18/07/2007
Pupils in the region are to link up with schools around the GLOBE to share information and learn more about the weather and impacts of climate change.
Northumbrian Water is to provide 85 schools across the North East with a free automated weather station and training through an international environmental education project, the GLOBE programme, initiated by Al Gore in 1995.
The stations will provide vital information for a variety of agencies tackling the challenges of climate change.
TV weathermen Paul Mooney, from the BBC, and Bob Johnson, from ITV Tyne Tees, are to visit two schools to learn more about how they too can benefit from the Northumbrian Water GLOBE project – the first of its kind worldwide.
Reporters and photographers are invited to two schools to see the weather stations, talk to pupils, weathermen Paul Mooney or Bob Johnson, Northumbrian Water representatives and GLOBE UK representatives.
BBC’s Paul Mooney will be at Hurworth Comprehensive School, Croft Road, Hurworth on Tees, Darlington at 10.00am on Thursday, 19 July 2007.
ITV Tyne Tee’s Bob Johnson will be at Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, St Cuthberts Road, Newcastle upon Tyne at 11.15am on Thursday, 19 July 2007.
The £100,000 project, funded by the water company, will enable students to collect scientific weather data on their local environment and make it accessible to everyone, including other schools, Northumbrian Water, the Met Office, scientists and NASA, over the internet.
Each school will have a computer used solely to access, record and share data from their weather station. The programme is integrated into the National Curriculum and will provide practical opportunities to increase skills in science, geography, citizenship, maths and ICT.
John Cuthbert, Northumbrian Water’s managing director, said: “This major initiative puts Northumbrian Water in the world spotlight in the challenge to respond to climate change.
“The Northumbrian Water GLOBE project is a fantastic opportunity for us to enhance the education of pupils in the communities we serve. The weather stations have been strategically placed to further improve the data we have available to understand how our sewerage network copes in different weather conditions. I hope all who have access to a weather station also have fun learning!”
For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720 or Joanne Robertson on 0191 301 6733. You can also log onto www.globe.org.uk to find out more about the GLOBE programme.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
People visiting Hurworth Comprehensive School, Darlington
John Cuthbert, Northumbrian Water’s managing director – quote included in body of media release.
BBC weatherman, Paul Mooney, said: “I think this is a great initiative because you can never have too much weather information. The increased number of weather stations in the region will help us to monitor weather conditions better and hopefully improve forecasting!”
GLOBE UK co-ordinator, Andy Tasker, said: “GLOBE UK is delighted to be involved in this unique project with Northumbrian Water. Not only will it provide high-tech weather monitoring equipment for schools and up-to-date rain data for Northumbrian Water, it will also help children understand climate change and link with other globe students worldwide.”
Fourteen-year-old Nick Barnard, a pupil from Hurworth Comprehensive School, said: “The weather station is great because we can check the weather for school events that day and we know that the information is being used to help people in real life. I am looking forward to using it in lessons.”
People visiting Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, Newcastle upon Tyne
John Mowbray, Northumbrian Water’s corporate affairs director, said: “This major initiative puts Northumbrian Water in the world spotlight in the challenge to respond to climate change.
“The Northumbrian Water GLOBE project is a fantastic opportunity for us to enhance the education of pupils in the communities we serve. The weather stations have been strategically placed to further improve the data we have available to understand how our sewerage network copes in different weather conditions. I hope all who have access to a weather station also have fun learning!”
ITV Tyne Tees weatherman, Bob Johnson, said: “I think this is a great initiative because you can never have too much weather information. The increased number of weather stations in the region will help us to monitor weather conditions better and hopefully improve forecasting!”
GLOBE UK trainer, Linda Lockhart, said: “GLOBE UK is delighted to be involved in this unique project with Northumbrian Water. Not only will it provide high-tech weather monitoring equipment for schools and up to date rain data for Northumbrian Water, it will also help children understand climate change and link with other globe students worldwide.”
Ten-year-old Alice Bell, a pupil from Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, said: "It will be good to use the weather station to find out how much rainfall has fallen. I am looking forward to seeing how the weather changes. It will make lessons more fun!"