Hood-CCWS's Schoolyard Urban Heat Studies program trains teachers how to measure the impacts their schoolyards may have on surface, air, and water environments from increase temperatures caused by development impervious surfaces.
Warming of local temperatures can be attributed to increases in urban development when compared to rural, undeveloped land.
Known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, surface temperatures are warmer than forested areas, air temperatures remain warm throughout the evening, and water quality impairment is noted in watersheds with as little as 10% impervious surface (IS) coverage.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used to mitigate UHI effects by decreasing temperatures of IS, increasing infiltration of rain water, and treating stormwater runoff to reduce its temperature and pollutant load.
Visit the Program Specific Website Here
For more information about Hood-CCWS Schoolyard Urban Heat Studies, contact: Dr. Drew Ferrier, 301-696-3660
Project Funding from a Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, 2016-2019
NOAA - Chesapeake Bay Office
Science teachers from Frederick County and Washington County Public Schools completed an intensive workshop on Schoolyard Urban Heat Studies Program offered by the Hood College Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies (CCWS).
On Friday, February 9th staff from Hood College's Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies hosted a 3-hour workshop at the MAEOE Annual conference for attendees to learn how to measure potential urban heat island effects at their schoolyards.
Students measure the surface temperature of various colored painted bricks as part of an laboratory demonstrating a materials albedo\reflectivity
Teachers inspect a model of a green roof during the summer teacher workshop
Using handheld, infra-red thermometers, students measure various land use surfaces, such as the track, around their schoolyard.
Information will vary based on program level. Select a path to find the information you're looking for!