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How to participate in S'COOL

Let's Get Started:

1. Registration. Use our handy On-Line form. Note: In general registrations are tied to a school, so if more than one teacher at a shool wants to participate, only one registration is required. If for some reason you require separate registrations we can do that; however, please make a note in the Comments field of the registration form so that we know you saw this note.
If you have trouble with the form, then try this.

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2. Overpass Times: Once you are registered, you will receive an Introductory Letter and Packet including our S'COOL Poster and all you will need to start your official observations. We send you Overpass Times for the first month to get you started along with a Guide to help you read the schedule. To determine when the satellite will pass over your school, use our overpass calculator. If you have trouble with this interface, send us e-mail and we will calculate the times for you. See an example.

On Observation day(s):

3. Observation: Observe and record (you can print an observation form for daily use) the properties of the clouds at the appointed time, along with some other useful information about the surface (What to Observe). See an example and read about one school's solution to the time problem.

Read here about how other teachers manage their students to implement the S'COOL Project.

4. Transmission: Transmit the results to a central data storage site at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. This can be done by filling out a form on the Internet, by e-mail (scool@lists.nasa.gov) or via the postal service (address information will be in your welcome packet), or fax (1-757-864-7996). See an example.

After Observation Day(s):

5. Comparison: Compare your observations to results reported by other schools involved in the project, and to what the satellite saw over your area. Query the S'COOL database. See an example and discussion from Phase 1; and some ideas of what to look for in the database.

6. Evaluation: We welcome your comments about this project. Please fill out a survey form or e-mail your comments. The survey form will also be used to track how many students and teachers have participated in the project, so we encourage you to fill out at least Sections I and IV.

A targeted survey was carried out during the Autumn of 2000. Results from Fall 2000 Survey are here

7. Rewards: Reward your students.

• Stickers are available for distribution to participating students. Once you have started observing, send us your order and we'll put them in the mail.
• A downloadable (PDF format; Download Acrobat Reader) certificate of participation is available. You can print a color or black & white version and distribute to your students. Note: if you have trouble getting the PDF files to display, try setting your preferences to use Acrobat Reader as an external application; not a Plug-In
• Other ideas are also being explored. If you have a suggestion, send it in.

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