Yukon College math students apply skills to climate change research

Yukon College statistics students have gone beyond their textbooks by applying their skills to a simulated climate change-related research project in the territory. Math 105 Introduction to Statistics students have used real-life weather data from a collaborative research project between the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) and Yukon Energy Corporation that could prove beneficial to the hydro security of the Yukon River.

Math 105 students have analyzed weather data from remote meteorological (met) stations situated on the Llewellyn and Fantail glaciers, the headwaters of the Yukon River. The information from these met stations will help understand how the Whitehorse dam is affected by a changing climate. Students worked in groups to simulate research on various aspects of the weather data, including: temperature, atmospheric pressure, rain and snow, wind direction and speed and solar radiation. 

“Yukon College is engaging students in hands-on research that will not only enhance their learning experience but give them a better understanding of some of the challenges we face in our Territory”, said Dr. Deb Bartlette, Vice-President, Academic and Student Services. “Experiential education is a valuable learning tool for applying classroom learning plus it gives students direct experience they can apply to their resume”, said Bartlette.

For the past three years, Math 105 students have participated in a research topic that is relevant to their daily lives and represents practical statistical research. These term projects improve their understanding of the world around them and help them develop skills that employers are seeking.  In performing the statistical analyses and presenting the results, students in MATH 105 also complete relevant learning outcomes in the course.

“One of the questions we asked students to look at was whether there would be sufficient wind in winter to power the weather station when the solar panels alone don’t provide enough power to the station”, said Mark Shumelda, Instructor. “The idea is that if we generate power with wind, we wouldn’t need as many batteries, making the stations cheaper to install and more efficient in the long run”, said Shumelda.

The research component of the MATH 105 course is worth 20% of the final course grade.  Students will present their results in a public forum on Friday, April 10th from 1:00 to 2:00pm in the Lecture Hall at Yukon College. Media are welcome to attend.

This year’s multi-disciplinary crop of students is rooted in Liberal Arts, Renewable Resources Management, and the GeoTech programs.  Students also received support from the new Yukon College Research Fund to print their research posters.

This hydro security research project is coordinated at the Yukon Research Centre.