In the advent of understanding the effects of climate change in the different regions of the Earth, Dr. Hal Maring and Dr. Emily Schaller of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) led an educational student outreach on the Cloud, Aerosol and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).

The outreach was held at the Miguel Pro Learning Commons, 2nd Floor CCFC building last September 16.

Maring, NASA’s Radiation and Science program manager, explained that the Philippines’ susceptibility to climate change was one of the main reasons why they chose the country to conduct their research on cloud, aerosol, and monsoon.

“The region of the Philippines is one of the most difficult areas in the world to predict weather and perform climate projections. The country itself is susceptible to natural hazards and climate change.”

The climate scientist also referenced that little research has been done on the country’s regional weather predictability and observability.

Active participation and exposure of the Philippine scientists and students to cutting edge earth system science technology along with the provision of access to world-class and scientific and technical personnel were some of the benefits that Maring emphasized as NASA collaborated with PAG-ASA, the Manila Observatory and Ateneo de Manila University.

Schaller, on the other hand, discussed what happens during the CAMPEx educational student outreach operations and how they gather samples and data.

With regards to the impact of NASA representatives to the university, Aerospace Engineering coordinator Fr. Daniel McNamara, S.J. said he would like to see combinations where the Aerospace Engineering program are able to work with them regularly.

“The school is trying to be more aware of its position not just locally, but even in the whole world. I’m going to ask them what we can do on a regular basis, to support the satellites,” he added.

Furthermore, McNamara stated that NASA’s educational visit serves as an outreach for students to better understand.

“This is an outreach for the students to understand where we are, and also the contribution we would make to the bigger picture,” he shared.

Xavier Lara, the director of American Spaces Philippines, eyed the university for a partnership on the upcoming global event of NASA.

“Ateneo de Davao is one of the venues, one of the hosts in partnership with the US embassy for that event this year,” he said.

NASA representatives conducted two consecutive sessions of the CAMPEx education student outreach from September 16-17 which they were able to present and discuss the said experiment to both high school and college students of the Ateneo de Davao University.