This award provides funds to the department of Geography at the University of Manoa to purchase equipment to upgrade the physical geography component of the undergraduate curriculum. The existing curriculum in physical, climatology, and water resources at the University is focussed on processes in the tropical environment. Because of the relief, geology, vegetation, and the agricultural and urban land uses, Hawaii is a microcosm of climatic diversity. It is an ideal place to study climate. However, full advantage is not being take of this rich teaching opportunity. The key element missing in the curriculum is direct field observation (measurement). To exploit the natural laboratory that is Hawaii's environment, the department needs to acquire the instruments with which students can monitor and analyze the important processes. This award will help enhance undergraduate education in geography by providing sets of climate sensors (measuring wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall, net radiation, solar radiation, and soil heat flux), data recording devices, computers, and accessory equipment for use by instructors and students. The purpose of the project is to provide students with a sequence of increasingly advanced learning experiences through the measurement and interpretation of environmental data. The grantee institution is matching this NSF award with funds from non-Federal sources.
