This past week, I started working from home more. Working from home has been a big improvement! I have been taking lots of Python tutorials and have learned how to average data from .nc files and to subtract the mean in order to find the extreme changes in temperature over a ten year period. I learned how to download large sets of atmospheric data from several sources and have been also working on learning how to wrangle the data into usable sets. Teaching myself this computer language and new skills has been a bit tedious but so worth it!

This past Friday I was lucky enough to be invited to a Climate Change Workshop given for teachers. Teachers from all over the Houston area attended and we learned so much. There were guest speakers from multiple departments here at Rice. We learned about Paleo-climate studies, Global Biospherical studies, Coral Reef studies, Deep Learning Modeling, and Civil Engineering to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The big theme across every lecture is that humans are causing the global temperature to rise due to excessive carbon dioxide emissions. This was a profound experience for all of us, and I hope that the teachers that came to the workshop are able to take this message home to the classroom and share it in ways that is just as impactful as the workshop!

This past week, I have learned so much!

Learning a new computer language is no joke. This week is a deep dive into learning Python and creating models in that platform. Everything takes time and patience. Downloading the data. Sifting through to isolate the appropriate data. Creating graphs and models using code language that is unfamiliar. All takes time. 🙂 But I am getting there!

This is a diagram of the temperature differences around the globe during the winter of 2017. Super fun to code! I will be using this skill to help determine the effect that concrete and urbanization of the Houston area has changed the weather patterns in and around the Houston area by using Deep Learning. Wish me luck!

This past week has been a LOT! Can you say data downloading into my brain?

I have read so many articles and watch so many different Youtube Talks! Sometimes, I think my brain hurts, but I am excited about all the new information that I will bring back to my students. Plus, I love being the student from time to time! 🙂

There seems to always be something that I need to take notes on.

Most of the time the lab is a really quiet place to work and learn. It can be very zen!

This past week has been amazing and so full of greatness! I have so many things added to my To Do list for next year already! So thankful for the fellowship and the fun! Even the traffic and commute time could not keep the smile off of my face.

1. Get permission for my AP students to have a field trip to the water filtration facilities. That was an amazing experience so full of learning opportunities.
2. Create a project for students using the white board movie strategy. I really want my students to create a movie that helps to explain the path of water through the filtration system and to realize what happens to the water from the rainfall to the water bottle.

3. Create a lesson on Nano Particles that uses the idea of a hands on experience with blocks and Velcro. I loved this activity because it takes the abstract and turns it into a concrete idea.

It was so great to meet everyone this past week! I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and creating long term professional relationships with each of you.

My name is Chris Ann Winkler and I have been teaching in public schools for 17 years. My first couple of years teaching were in private schools and I taught Pre-K of all things. When my daughters graduated Pre-K, so did I. I needed to move up in developmental levels for my own health. So I started in the public school setting. My first year at Strack Intermediate, I taught 6th and 7th grade and loved it! I stayed in the Intermediate setting for many years and during that time, I taught all grade levels and multiple high school classes as well. I finally, graduated the 8th grade and moved up to the high school. Today, I am teaching at Cypress Parks High School. My students are all upper class man and come to me with a wealth of life experiences. This next year, I will be teaching Aquatics, Environmental Systems, and Environmental Science AP.

On a personal level, I have been married for a hot second and have two wonderful daughters. My oldest, Sami, is working on her Masters in Clarinet Performance at Northwestern in Chicago. I will be attending her graduation this next Spring and am so proud of her! My youngest daughter just graduated with her bachelors in Exercise Science and officially retired as a college athlete. She has caused me to visit softball fields all over this country. Caitlin will be attending a Doctor of Physical Therapy program that starts this August. She will be moving to Indiana just after we finish our time together this summer and trust me, my cup runneth over! My family is my greatest blessing and I think they are all that and more.