The Weather & Climate Science Institute

Students who complete an Institute can often use the experience for high school credit through participating high school's flexible pathways programs. The hours and academic content at each GIV Institute often equate to a full class at most Vermont high schools.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school.
Some high schools cannot award credit for completion due to variations in grading systems, PLPs, and credit systems.

To support the process, we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor or Flexible Pathways coordinator before attending GIV to explore credit options

For participating schools and Flexible Pathways programs, students have been able to gain credit for presenting their academic achievements at GIV through methods such as...
- Offering a formal presentation to reflect on their studies and their experience at GIV to present for counselors and/or teachers in Fall after completing an Institute.
- A showcase of a final product, which are created in the final days at most Institutes either as an individual or group project.
- A learning journal to be submitted and reviewed to share areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

To connect with someone at your school who can explore or support this process, see the current list of School Ambassadors at https://giv.org/resources-for-students (scroll to the bottom of the page).

7-day program
Students follow curriculum of varied workshops and presentations
Students work independently and in teams on analysis and data projects
Field trips to area centers of environmental study and meteorological research
Supported by Atmospheric Sciences program at VTSU Lyndon
Fairbanks Museum partnership
Dormitories and roommates
8:1 student-to-staff ratio

Meteorology
Atmospheric studies and weather
Environment and climatology
Energy and renewable sources
Data collection and research
Weather modeling software and analytical predicting methods
News reporting and forecasting
Environmental economics
Agriculture and local industry

46+ hours of meteorology and climate science training
Connections with the VTSU Atmospheric Sciences team with Vermont's premiere atmospheric studies program
Resume-building
New understandings about local environmental impacts
First-hand experience from environmental experts and professional meteorologists

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Science - Physical Sciences
Science - Life Sciences
Science - Engineering and Technology

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level.

Science
- Physical Sciences: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1j, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g
- Life Sciences: 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4d, 4e
- Earth & Space Sciences: 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7i, 7j
- Engineering Technology & Applied Science: 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

Eligible for embedded college credit through Vermont State University
Course Title: ATM-1070: Weather & Climate Science (3 credits)
Dual Enrollment voucher eligible.
Visit our Academic Guide to learn more about how to access these credits and different payment support options.

For more detail and to compare different opportunities, check out our Academic Guide!