Where Sea Meets Sky: Children’s School Explores the Ocean’s Impact on Weather at OOI

Students from the Children’s School of Science recently visited the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) for a field trip led by Dr. James Edson, Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator at OOI.

The visit focused on how the ocean influences weather and climate. Dr. Edson introduced the students to the OOI’s cutting-edge instruments that monitor ocean conditions and explained how ocean currents and temperatures play a crucial role in storms, hurricanes and global weather patterns.

The students participated in hands-on activities, including using anemometers to measure wind speed, and infrared hygrometers to measure evaporation and CO₂ exchange giving them a practical understanding of how scientists study the interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. This immersive experience provided a unique opportunity to understand the ocean’s impact on the planet’s climate, sparking curiosity and inspiring future interest in science.

James Edson, Senior Scientist & Principal Investigator