Toby Ault is incorporating community-engaged learning into two of his courses, EAS 3050 Climate Dynamics and EAS 1101 Climate and Energy. During the fall semester, students will work with a small group of regional farmers and growers to better understand what information they need from the climate science community. In addition, Ault will lead weather balloon launches with teams of undergraduates in order to better measure and understand atmospheric changes.

Taking what he learns from the farmers and through the balloon launches, Ault will start conducting regular launches to improve weather predictions, particularly of precipitation extremes in the spring and summer, a critical need that’s already been identified by many farmers and growers in the area.