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NASA, Appalachian State University and Grandfather Mountain Work Together to Understand Climate Change

Soon visitors to Grandfather Mountain will be able to experience climate change as something more than a headline. Starting this fall guests will be invited to join Grandfather’s naturalists in collecting real-time scientific data that will be used to monitor climate change.

The Citizen Science climate change research was made possible by a NASA-funded project at Appalachian State University. The project is designed to develop the infrastructure for sustaining and expanding public outreach through long-term climate measurements, enhance public awareness of climate science and NASA’s role in advancing our understanding of the Earth System, and introduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) principles to home schooled, public school and ASU Students.

"One of the more exciting aspects of this program is that citizen scientists will be making measurements that are central to climate research and directly compliment NASA's research activities," said Assistant Professor of Geography at ASU, Baker Perry. "The other component is that these hands-on activities will hopefully encourage Grandfather Mountain visitors to learn more about climate and climate change."

Starting this fall Grandfather Mountain’s naturalist staff will take daily measurements of solar energy, measure the thickness of suspended particulates in the air, and record cloud cover, temperature, relative humidity and precipitation totals. The public will be invited to help Grandfather’s naturalists take the measurements and the results will be shared with NASA’s headquarters for ongoing climate studies.

“Grandfather Mountain is a perfect partner in this endeavor due to the unique natural laboratory, the proximity to Appalachian State University, the institutional support through the Naturalist program and the ongoing education programs on the Mountain,” said Perry.

In order for the naturalists to take proper measurements this fall, Grandfather Mountain’s Staff met with Perry, chemistry professor Brett Taubman, physics professor Jim Sherman and graduate student Ginger Kelly to receive formal training in how to make the measurements.

After training with the instruments, Grandfather’s naturalists welcomed the Science Club from Hardin Park Elementary and joined them in collecting measurements. Hardin Park Elementary, Bethel Elementary and students from the Home School Science Camp Programs at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute will be taking the same measurements at their schools this fall with equipment funded by the grant.

“The Grandfather Mountain administration and staff have been incredibly supportive of this from the beginning and we look forward to building on this collaboration,” said Perry.

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