ASMET:ASMET:African Satellite Meteorology African Satellite Meteorology

Education & TrainingEducation & Training

Marianne WeingroffMarianne WeingroffDLESE/UCARDLESE/UCAR

June 6, 2006June 6, 2006

ASMETASMET

Goal: Goal: Improve quality of forecasts in Africa Improve quality of forecasts in Africa by training forecasters to make better use by training forecasters to make better use of satellite dataof satellite data

Method: Method: Instructors at African RMTCs Instructors at African RMTCs create CAL (computer-aided learning) create CAL (computer-aided learning) modules on topics related to the use of modules on topics related to the use of satellite imagery --- for use by forecasters satellite imagery --- for use by forecasters throughout the continentthroughout the continent

ASMETASMET

Initially sponsored by WMO, Initially sponsored by WMO, EUMETSAT, GTZ… EUMETSAT, GTZ…

Now funded by EUMETSATNow funded by EUMETSAT EUMETSAT:EUMETSAT:

– Runs Meteosat geostationary satellites Runs Meteosat geostationary satellites – Provides data to African forecast officesProvides data to African forecast offices– Trains forecasters on how to use themTrains forecasters on how to use them

ASMET is part of their ASMET is part of their education/training programeducation/training program

ASMETASMET

Initial project: Trained 4 meteorology Initial project: Trained 4 meteorology instructors from RMTCs in Niger and instructors from RMTCs in Niger and Kenya Kenya at COMET at COMET on ID on ID process process – how to – how to create create and use and use CAL CAL

ASMETASMET

Since then, team continued Since then, team continued creating modules – now on creating modules – now on #5 #5

Modules are Modules are on CD and on CD and online, in online, in French/EnglishFrench/English

ASMET modulesASMET modules

Used as self-paced learning by Used as self-paced learning by forecasters (train on-site rather than forecasters (train on-site rather than going to RMTCs)going to RMTCs)

Imagery and case studies used as Imagery and case studies used as teaching aids by instructorsteaching aids by instructors

Modules have background info and Modules have background info and case studiescase studies

ASMETASMET

Topics – some general, some regionalTopics – some general, some regional– ITCZ, easterly waves, tropical cyclones…ITCZ, easterly waves, tropical cyclones…– Now making case studies on new MSG Now making case studies on new MSG

channels (only group creating materials channels (only group creating materials solely for Africa) solely for Africa)

Very successful project – African Very successful project – African forecasters love having materials forecasters love having materials developed by and for themdeveloped by and for them

Challenges/lessons learnedChallenges/lessons learned

Process of creating modules – Process of creating modules – – We work as a team, really only when we We work as a team, really only when we

meet (they don’t get release time) …. So meet (they don’t get release time) …. So it takes a while to create modulesit takes a while to create modules

Finding topics of interest across the Finding topics of interest across the continentcontinent– We try to find general and regional We try to find general and regional

topics (tropical cyclones)topics (tropical cyclones)

Challenges/lessons learnedChallenges/lessons learned

Content expertise:Content expertise: – Group usually has enough Group usually has enough

expertise to be their own subject expertise to be their own subject matter expertsmatter experts

– Always a challenge to get 4 or 5 Always a challenge to get 4 or 5 scientists to agree on the science scientists to agree on the science and co-write a script!and co-write a script!

– Sometimes need an outside Sometimes need an outside content expertcontent expert

Challenges/lessons learnedChallenges/lessons learned

Getting the dataGetting the data– Order lots of data --- and earlyOrder lots of data --- and early– Develop good connections with data Develop good connections with data

providers providers

Challenges/lessons learnedChallenges/lessons learned

Project sustainability Project sustainability – Same team for 9 yearsSame team for 9 years– EUMETSAT continues funding project – EUMETSAT continues funding project –

without it, probably wouldn’t have without it, probably wouldn’t have continuedcontinued

Original goal: Instructors learn to Original goal: Instructors learn to create CAL and then do so on their create CAL and then do so on their own … but we’ve needed to continue own … but we’ve needed to continue as a team and I’ve needed to stay as a team and I’ve needed to stay involved involved

Challenges/lessons learnedChallenges/lessons learned

Team members need retrainingTeam members need retraining– People get trained in new areas/on new skills, People get trained in new areas/on new skills,

then share with or teach teamthen share with or teach team Equipment problemsEquipment problems

– For team as developersFor team as developers– For users to view the modulesFor users to view the modules– For users to get satellite data!!!!!!!!!!For users to get satellite data!!!!!!!!!! – For users to be able to replicate what we’re For users to be able to replicate what we’re

teaching – overlays, derived products…teaching – overlays, derived products…

SummarySummary

Very successful project, lots of excitementVery successful project, lots of excitement Forecasters love having modules created Forecasters love having modules created

by and for themby and for them Used by forecasters… on other continentsUsed by forecasters… on other continents Expanding team in preparation for Expanding team in preparation for

retirements… retirements… Expanded team to other RMTCs & weather Expanded team to other RMTCs & weather

services - SAWS now involved services - SAWS now involved