Overview
Get an overview of the learning modules that form the backbone of the TOPST SCHOOL program, and see how each module contributes to open science.
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the modules of NASA’s SCHOOL program! This curriculum is part of NASA’s TOPS Training initiative, an effort designed to empower learners with practical skills in the data science lifecycle using real-world data from NASA’s Earth Sciences division. By participating in this program, you’ll join a community of passionate researchers and learners dedicated to advancing Open Science through collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity.
Exploring the Critical Role of Water in Society
Water is one of the Earth’s most essential resources, and understanding its behavior is key to predicting environmental changes and mitigating their impacts. It is the first SCHOOL module and we’ll explore Water and its relationship with humans. How does the water cycle impact society? How are changes in water availability, quality, and patterns affecting communities worldwide? [1] This module aims to answer these vital questions.
You’ll delve into three carefully selected use cases that highlight critical water-related issues, such as usage, safety, and anomalies like droughts and floods. Each case presents a unique dataset that will guide you through the process of accessing, analyzing, and visualizing water data. We’ll teach you how to clean and process this data, focus on areas of interest, and ultimately, create compelling visualizations that can be shared within your community. By the end of this module, you’ll not only have a better understanding of water science but also be equipped to apply these skills to other Open Science challenges.
Whether you’re an undergraduate student or an early-career researcher with some exposure to coding, this module is designed to meet you where you are. You don’t need to be an Earth scientist or a coding expert; all that’s required is a willingness to learn. Throughout this journey, you’ll become familiar with the data science lifecycle, learning how to acquire, process, and analyze data, particularly in the context of Open Science.
The skills you’ll acquire are adaptable and scalable, allowing you to integrate them into your own research or academic projects. This module won’t just teach you about water science — it will help you become a more effective data-driven researcher.
Prerequisites & Glossary
Before starting the hands-on lessons, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with certain prerequisites and technical terms. These will help you navigate the dataset and analytical processes more effectively. We’ve put together a glossary of key terms that will be used throughout the module, ensuring you’re never left in the dark.
Important
This program doesn’t aim to deliver a comprehensive Earth science curriculum or make you a coding guru. Instead, it is here to provide you with a solid foundation that you can build upon and apply to your own Open Science projects. If you want to further explore Open Science concepts, be sure to check out NASA’s TOPS Open Science 101 Curriculum. [2]