Buoy do they like it; Integrating authentic climate and oceanographic data in Norwegian high school curriculum

We here present the project ``Ekte data’’ (Real data), a digital platform that has been providing real-life scientific data for teaching mathematics and science at secondary high schools in Norway since 2015. The innovative exercises use real-life oceanographic, meteorological and climate observations to engage students by adapting learning outcomes integral the curriculum (e.g. statistics, regression, modelling, mechanics and thermodynamics) to relevant, real-world problems.

We build accessible exercises structurally and methodologically similar to those found in a textbook that allow students to engage with real-life data sets rather than hypothetical problems. The web portal (https://ektedata.uib.no/) provides access to over 80 exercises on a variety of topics, such as ocean circulation, acidification, arctic sea ice, wind energy, local weather, fish stocks and climate change. The exercises are customized to the curriculum at different levels with data from both local and global observations. Integration of local data has been very successful and currently includes a large collection of weather stations placed on school rooftops and an advanced oceanographic buoy recording in a local fjord (https://ektedata.no/).

We see this project as highly beneficial for developing scientific literacy and analytical understanding in students and engaging with students who may wish to pursue a career in research. In general, we see a gap between students' theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply their “mathematical toolbox” to real world problems. This project aims to partly bridge the gap between theory and practical application while simultaneously giving students insight into the interpretation and uncertainty of “big data”, which is especially relevant in times of “fake news”. These exercises create platforms for students to engage in discussions on climate change, and will hopefully have beneficial long-term impacts on the future generation’s knowledge about the oceans, cryosphere and climate.