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NASA Releases Free Global Climate Model Software

Posted by samzenpus on from the hurricane-in-the-classroom dept.

ink_polaroid writes "NASA has released its Educational Global Climate Model (EdGCM) for high school and university desktop computers. The software incorporates a 3-D climate model developed at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York. It wraps complex computer modeling programs with a graphical interface familiar to most PC users."

5 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Nice, if the curriculum allowed for it... by 2advanced.net · · Score: 5, Interesting

    EdGCM permits teachers and students to explore the fundamentals of climate science utilizing tools identical to those used in major climate research programs. Many simple climate experiments are possible (e.g. How does the sun warm the planet?), but, it is also possible to conduct in-depth investigations of current events, in near real-time, as they are being studied by climate scientists

    That's great. One of my favorite software packages in the world is Nasa's World Wind, but when I tried to show it to my parents (both high school science teachers), the reaction was the same: we don't have time or computers to use this.

    The state of public education (at least in California) is so poor that this is going to be great for college-level students, but much of the target audience will be left out due to budgets and a testing-centric curriculum.
    --
    2advanced.net - Business Quality Hosting
  2. self prophecising by zenst · · Score: 5, Funny

    In further news today: 1000's of computer's around the World today began running climate modeling software.

    The Combined heat output from all this extra computer processing is expected to bring most model predictions forward by several years due to the extra heat expended.

    --

    SETI - The project were you can look for life on another planet whilst help kill off the current one quicker. I mean would an `intelligent` form of life be chucking out loads of extra signals wasting resources; Search for dead planets maybe, but intelligent life, HA.

  3. I thought that's what they said it did... by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Funny

    It would be pretty cool to simulate enviromental doomsday scenarios...

    I thought they already said that in the story outline - yes, here it is:

    It wraps complex computer modeling programs with a graphical interface familiar to most PC users

    Obviously here they are talking about the Blue Globe of Death.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  4. Re:Fossil fuels PREVENT global warming by Yokaze · · Score: 5, Insightful

    > Latest science says fossil fuels are good and protect against global warming.

    No, it says the emission of fossil fuel by-products limit the effects of CO2-emissions. Stopping the emission of those by-products will release the full effect of the CO2 emission.

    So, does that mean fossil fuels are good and protect us from global warming, like you concluded?

    No, it means that some by-products are good and momentarily soften the effect of the consumption of fossil fuel.

    It's like saying taking crack is good, because it prevents the signs of withdrawal.

    --
    "Between strong and weak, between rich and poor [...], it is freedom which oppresses and the law which sets free"
  5. Re:Simulated doomsday? by RMH101 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can you tell me more about this thing called sarcasm? I have never heard of it, nor has it ever been reported on slashdot.