2002 DeSouza Award

Douglas N. Yarger, Iowa State University

The Russell L. DeSouza Award honors “individuals whose energy, expertise, and active involvement enable the Unidata Program to better serve the geosciences.”

It would be hard to imagine a better fit for the honor than Doug Yarger. Through his involvement in geosciences education and in Unidata governance and Users Workshops, Doug's association with Unidata spans more than a decade; but it was in the forum of the Unidata Users Committee that his voice emerged with clarity and strength. Doug spoke convincingly of the need for the effective teaching of geoscience principles, and through his many efforts clearly articulated the role of technology in every day instruction and learning.

Showing teachers new ways of encouraging students to learn is his passion. He is a strong advocate of participatory learning, that is, learning in which students become actively engaged in teaching themselves through exploration, experimentation, and research. He believes that current technology allows educational institutions to create active learning environments in ways that formerly were impossible.

In 2000 he co-chaired the Unidata Users Workshop entitled "Unidata Users as Leaders," and he spearheaded the effort to bring together a first-rate (and first-rank) roster of speakers. His own contribution to the workshop demonstrated an innovative data-visualization technique that actually brings students into storms by using 3-D glasses. 

Questions About the Desouza Award?

Questions or comments about the Desouza Award can be sent to: support@unidata.ucar.edu