California University of Pennsylvania is partnering with the American Meteorological Society to provide graduate level credits tuition-free to K-12 teachers who take AMS Earth sciences education courses.

Dr. Chad Kauffman, a professor in Cal U's Department of Earth Sciences, has been named curriculum development coordinator and lead for the AMS DataStreme program, which engages educators nationwide in studying the planet's weather, oceans and climate.

Teachers who complete the courses become science leaders in their own schools and communities, educating their teaching colleagues and ultimately reaching millions of students nationwide.

"This program is a natural fit for Cal U, with its long history of teacher education and its special mission in science and technology," says Kauffman.

"By helping teachers learn more about Earth sciences, we strengthen our K-12 schools, encourage kids to build STEM skills, and nurture a new generation of young scientists and researchers."

In the fall and spring semesters, California University of Pennsylvania will offer three-credit DataStreme Atmosphere, Ocean, and Earth's Climate System courses through its online learning management system — the same system that supports the university's nationally recognized Cal U Global Online degree programs.

Cal U's online learning system allows participants to access course content, view presentations, and interact with instructors, mentors and classmates. Teams of regionally based educators and scientists mentor teachers enrolled in DataStreme courses.

Three-credit workshop-oriented courses meet in summer:

• The Maury Project, based at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Annapolis, Md.
• Project Atmosphere, held at the National Weather Service Training Center in Kansas City, Mo.

AMS Education courses and workshops may be taken individually, in any order. Teachers who complete nine credits earn a post-baccalaureate certificate from California University of Pennsylvania'sSchool of Graduate Studies and Research.

To learn more about AMS Earth science courses at California University of Pennsylvania, visit www.calu.edu/AMS or the AMS Education website.

About Cal U

California University of Pennsylvania offers career-focused academic programs in science and technology, education, the liberal arts, and professional studies. About 7,550 undergraduate and graduate students study on Cal U's campus, about 35 miles from Pittsburgh, or earn their degrees 100% online. A proud member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, Cal U has acknowledged a special mission in science and technology for more than 40 years.

About AMS

Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society is a leading voice in promoting and advancing the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Headquartered in Boston, with an office in Washington, D.C., AMS has more than 13,000 members, including researchers, scientists, broadcasters, educators and other professionals, as well as students and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes books, textbooks and articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals; certifies broadcast meteorologists; helps to inform policy makers about the latest scientific understanding and high-impact research; and promotes Earth science literacy.