Integrating Cloud and Container Technologies into University Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Curriculum

The DTC hosted a virtual workshop focused on connecting with the university community in order to integrate cloud and container technologies into a classroom setting as a way to give students experience with NWP software. With greater accessibility to large cloud compute resources in addition to containerized components that decrease the burden of the initial startup process, these tools promote an innovative teaching tool to integrate NWP directly into a course curriculum using hands-on learning. Not only that, they provide the opportunity to foster an interest and excitement in NWP while educating the next-generation workforce!

For this workshop, we targeted professors teaching undergraduate and/or graduate-level NWP classes, or professors interested in incorporating NWP into a class curriculum, who would like to learn about the established containerized DTC end-to-end NWP system in order to integrate these technologies into their classroom and computer lab activities. During the workshop, we provided an overview of the containerized DTC NWP system and participants were offered the opportunity to have hands-on practice running the DTC containers in the cloud. Discussion followed on how these capabilities might be customized for an enhanced classroom experience with contributions based on lessons learned from collaborations with previous university programs. An opportunity for professors to network and exchange ideas on how to use this technology to better engage with their students in the NWP learning process was provided. 

Previous engagements with universities have shown that this concept can be highly successful and presents a rewarding opportunity that can significantly elevate the students’ experience during the semester. We welcome the opportunity to foster a connection and engage with a larger number of programs to enhance students' experience and excitement for NWP.