Bron Thompson

Thompson's winning program, "The Skyline Ranch Monsoon Research Station," is a student-run weather center dedicated to the study of a weather phenomenon unique to the Sonoran Desert. With the guidance of science teachers, 300 students at Skyline Ranch K-8 School will gather and analyze weather data to gain a better understanding of monsoon thunderstorms and the effects of urban development on the local climate. Using state-of-the-art technology, the students will identify and catalogue weather conditions before, during and after a thunderstorm and record, analyze, and interpret data from the atmosphere. They will also construct charts and tables on the computer and design and execute experiments. The goals of the project are to ignite a passion for learning within students, provide a hands-on approach to learning in a real world environment, and to cultivate scientific reasoning skills. Thompson hopes that the students will be encouraged to use problem- solving skills to address issues facing their communities and that they will better understand the impact of human activity on nature. Thompson lives in Gilbert.