Students visiting Suzhou Wuzhong Meteorological Bureau

The 23rd of March is the World Meteorological Day. This year, the theme for World Meteorological Day is "At the Frontline of Climate Action."

On the occasion of World Meteorological Day, students majoring in Environmental Science of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences in the School of Science at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University embarked on a special visit to the Suzhou Wuzhong Meteorological Bureau, where they visited the Dongshan National Basic Meteorological Observing Station and the Meteorological Science Museum. The Dongshan National Basic Meteorological Station is one of the "100-year meteorological stations in China", which is of great significance for climate change research, ecological civilization construction, and the scientific support role of meteorological data.

As a part of the undergraduate course ENV212 (Air and the Environment) in the Environmental Science program, this visit was organized and arranged by Dr. Peng Zhao, the module leader. Dr. Zhao commented: "This is the first time we have integrated the activities of World Meteorological Day into the teaching of ENV212, the significance of which lies not only in allowing the students to better integrate theory with practice but also in raising awareness of climate action. Today, climate change has become a significant challenge faced by the entire world.

By approaching the forefront of meteorology, the students have not only broadened their horizons but have also prepared themselves fully as global citizens for future climate action."

During the visit, the students delved into the advanced atmospheric observation instruments, the operational principles of meteorological stations, and methods of data collection. They also gained insights into the history and cutting-edge technology of atmospheric observation in China.

Xiaoran Hu, one of the participating students, remarked: "This activity allowed us to gain a first-hand understanding of the monitoring equipment and methods of the meteorological station, and to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of these implementation methods. Mechanized automatic data recording is not always accurate, and some manual recording methods are still retained as backups. In addition, we were provided with science knowledge about the sources of weather forecasts, as well as the characteristics and formation of different types of clouds. However, merely relying on this knowledge still makes it very difficult to accurately judge the types of clouds, as certain categories bear a high degree of similarity, requiring a substantial reservoir of knowledge and accumulation of experience."

Pang Jingyi, another student, stated: "This activity allowed us to see a series of meteorological instruments that we have learned about in class. Knowledge is no longer confined to images in textbooks; we have gained a more practical understanding of the principles and uses of these instruments. This field trip has helped us to adjust our methods according to actual situations, analyze data, or discuss issues in our future studies and lives."

It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books. Paying attention to the world's meteorological changes is an important part of environmental protection, and the World Meteorological Day is set to make more people realize the importance of meteorological changes, pay attention to the changes in the nearby environment, and participate in the social practice of environmental protection with more practical actions. This activity broadens the field of classroom teaching practice, cultivates students' rational understanding of their majors, and puts them into their professional learning and environmental protection career with the attitude of applying what they have learned and full of enthusiasm.

Material：Dr Peng Zhao
Editor：Luyao Wang