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DEAPS – Discover Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

Extreme Weather and Climate Program

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences provides a unique environment to study the multi-faceted nature of the science of the Earth and other planets. The EAPS five-day exploration program in “Extreme Weather and Climate” will cover some of the most interesting and challenging aspect of weather and climate research.

The first day of the program will be dedicated to socialize and get to know one another.

The second day of the program will be dedicated to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and winter blizzards. What do we know about their nature and their frequency? Are they getting more extreme and more frequent?

The third day will focus on current issues of climate research. What have we learned from the past climate, what do we know of the present and what can we say about the future? Lectures by experts in the field will be accompanied by rotating fluid laboratory experiments, intended to illustrate the behavior of fluids on the rotating earth. Students will have the opportunity to work in small groups and get their hands wet, discussing their results with faculty and peers. In the evening students will be exposed to the challenges of observational astronomy and learn about planetary science at the Wallace Observatory in Westford, MA.

The final two days of the program will be spent on a trip to the Mt Washington Observatory in New Hampshire. The 6288 ft mountain peak is known as the place where “extreme weather” is the norm. Here the students will be exposed to the challenges of observational meteorology together with a direct experience of the mountain environment and geology. To see photos from past programs, check out the EAPS flickr.

DEAPS – Weather and Climate Specifics

  • Dates: Tuesday, August 22 – Sunday, August 27, 2023
  • Location: EAPS – Green Building (Bldg. 54) Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. First-year students will be housed in their assigned dormitory.
  • Available Spaces: 20
  • Cost: No charge. The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences will cover all costs.