Climate science in secondary school: results of a survey on the use of weather forecasting applications

Abstract

This work is part of a doctoral research whose objective is to discuss aspects of the nature of science in the context of the study of severe climatic phenomena with the purpose of promoting scientific literacy. Results obtained through a survey implemented in a public secondary school are examined regarding what is the most relevant information when consulting weather forecast applications. Questions are proposed about the reliability of the information, the climate models that provide the information in meteorological applications, etc. The results of the survey answered by students, parents and teachers show that people trust certain aspects of the weather forecast, such as the 5-day forecast, but do not trust the one-hour forecast, they do not have scientifically sound ideas about the simulations computational, and they do not know the origin and nature of the information they receive daily. We consider that it is necessary, in high school, to deepen these aspects so that students, when exercising citizenship, can make decisions based on forecasts and avoid exposing themselves to risks.