For my scholars practicum, I interned at the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) in College Park, MD. I worked under Patrick Meyers on a precipitation validation project. In April of 2018, my academic advisor sent out an email that researchers at ESSIC were looking for Summer interns to work on projects. The stated level of experience was limited to no research background needed to apply. I applied, and heard back quickly that ESSIC wanted me to come into the office and discuss plans for the Summer. I was hired on the spot and was introduced to the project I would be working on. My advice for future SGC scholars trying to find a practicum site would be to look out for all announcements, and if qualified apply. You never know what may happen, and you can only try. If you are dedicated and consistently apply for opportunities, you will find one that fits and be able to identify a practicum site. Throughout my time interning, I learned and utilized a great deal of coding in Python. The goal of the project was to reduce the error of precipitation rates between a satellite called the AMSR2, and a radar called MRMS. This required dealing with a lot of data, and this data was read and put into matrices. The matrices contained latitude and longitude points that were matched up with precipitation rates. This allowed the creation of visuals and running of error tests between the two sources. Parameters such as satellite scan area (km x km) had to be changed for the AMSR2, to reduce error between both sources to meet the NOAA 5 mm/hr or less error standard in precipitation validation. I used a book, Python Programming and Visualization for Scientists, and CodeAcademy to learn much of the coding. I learned a great deal about remote sensing and improving satellites in relation to atmospheric science and observing earth system science in relation to ESSIC. Satellites such as the AMSR2 are important in detecting precipitation rates in areas radars cannot such as the high terrain and remote locations. In order to make these satellites reliable, parameters must be changed, and error tests must be run. In the field of atmospheric science there is a lot of data, and to process this data, coding is important. Before this project I had no idea coding could be so useful in a field such as atmospheric science or meteorology. This science helps aid the goal of ESSIC in learning more about the balanced system of Earth and getting data in areas where there was none before. Throughout my internship, I noticed the great impact science has on society. Improving the ability of the AMSR2 helps provide accurate information on precipitation rates in areas that once had no coverage at all. This information can be used to alert people of events such as flash floods that are near the top of deadliest weather events. Through this scientific research, lives and property can be saved. I realized science is important to the health and economy of society as a whole. Since conducting this project, I have been focusing on gaining experience in coding throughout my experience here at UMCP and beyond. I will be taking AOSC652 next semester, a grad-level course introduction to the coding languages of Python and Java. I will also be working with fellow students in my major to help develop TerpWRF, our own weather model, which utilizes a lot of the coding practices I learned in my practicum project. Last semester I registered to minor in Geographic Information Sciences. My practicum project made me realize the immense power of data visualization and coding skills in dealing with data. I will likely use these coding skills for the rest of my life, and hope to work for an institution such as NOAA to put these skills to work to do something I love, while saving lives and property.
Bibliography
DeCaria, A. 2016. Python Programming and Visualization for Scientists. Sundog Publishing