The day was led by Dr. Jerry Brotzge, Director of the Kentucky Climate Center and Kentucky Mesonet and Professor of Meteorology in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences at WKU with visits by WKU undergraduate research assistant Amanda Oldham, retired WKU faculty member Dr. Peggy Gripshover, and WKU undergraduate research assistant Dylan Klein.

After spending the morning on campus, an afternoon site visit to the Kentucky Mesonet field station provided a front row seat to the equipment used to collect real-time environmental data and learn how each instrument contributes to accurate weather and climate monitoring.

Participants came away with a stronger understanding of the reach and impact of Kentucky Mesonet data. They noted how the network supports weather forecasting, emergency preparedness, agriculture, research, and communities across the state. They were also impressed by the educational potential of WKU’s CLoCK program, which connects educators and students with authentic climate and weather science through historical records, data tools, and inquiry-based learning opportunities.

Courtney described the visit as “an incredible experience,” emphasizing a newfound appreciation for the scale of Mesonet data collection and the many ways those data serve Kentucky. Jenny shared that the experience sparked ideas for “developing inquiry-based curriculum using Kentucky Mesonet and KyClimate resources.” Both educators highlighted the value of bringing classroom learners closer to the work of scientists and helping students see the range of career pathways available in meteorology, environmental science, and related STEM fields.

The Shadowing a Scientist event demonstrated the power of connecting educators directly with researchers, research assistants, and active field operations. By experiencing Kentucky’s climate science infrastructure firsthand, participants left with practical classroom connections, curriculum ideas, and renewed enthusiasm for helping students investigate real Kentucky climate data and historical weather events.