Morgan Yarker, PhD, CCM

Ycomm Online Communities

Utilizing robust education research strategies, Ycomm is a methodology to create online communities through strategic pedagogical approaches.

Using Social Media to improve student discourse in online learning environments

Many learning theories stress the importance of peer dialogue to support learning. There are many studies that support strategies to improve dialogue for in-person learning environments, but there is very little that supports dialogue development in an online environment. Using social media is one way to encourage participation and improve dialogue when teaching an online course.

Teaching about WRF in an online environment

Collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data from online courses designed to teach scientists and decision makers how to run WRF. Publications are currently ongoing, but the courses and information about the project are available at m2lab.org

LEAD: An online approach to capacity building

Developed a theoretical approach to justify the use of long-term, online courses to teach scientists in developing countries about regional climate modeling. This approach replaces the current approach, which involves week-long in-person courses, which are not as effective. Publication is available here.

Teachers use of models while teaching about climate, weather, and energy topics

Developed an approach to model-based inquiry and taught the approach to middle school teachers during a week-long professional development about climate, weather, and energy. Data was gathered from 5 teachers as they taught their climate/weather units. Data from 3 teachers was qualitatively analyzed to determine how the teachers’ use of models aligned with model-based inquiry. Dissertation available here, or upon request. (2011-2013)

Interdisciplinary approaches to teaching science in the K-12 classroom

Documented existing NSTA resources for teachers designed to help them utilize other school subjects while teaching science content in the K-12 classroom. A statistical analysis was performed to determine significant characteristics of the resources provided over a 5 year period. Publication available here. (2009-2011)

Discourse analysis during argument-based inquiry lessons

Performed qualitative research on transcripts from elementary classrooms using the Science Writing Heuristic. Argument-based inquiry practices were looked at when students where having whole-class discussions about claims and evidence. Categories of dialogue were developed and quantified based on the characteristics of dialogue. Publication can be purchased here. (2011-2013)

Yarker, M.B. & Mesquita, M. d.S. (2018). Using Social Media to Improve Peer Dialogue in an Online Course about Regional Climate Modeling. International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design. In Press.

Chen, Y.-C., Benus, M.J. & Yarker, M.B. (2015). Models as a Support for Argumentation Practices in Science Classrooms. The Biology Teacher. 78(7), 549-599. DOI: 10.1525/abt.2016.78.7.549

Walton, P.J., Yarker, M.B., Mesquita, M. d.S. & Otto, F.E.L. (2015). Helping to Make Sense of Regional Climate Modeling: Professional Development for Scientists and Decision Makers Anytime, Anywhere. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 97(7). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00111.1

Benus, M. J., Yarker, M. B., Hand, B. M., & Norton-Meier, L. A. (2013). Analysis of Discourse Practices in Elementary Science Classrooms using Argument-Based Inquiry during Whole-Class Dialogue. In M. Khine, & I. Saleh (Eds.), Approaches and Strategies in Next Generation Science Learning (pp. 224-245). Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference. doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-2809-0.ch012

Yarker, M.B. and Park, S. (2012). Analysis of teaching resources for implementing an interdisciplinary approach in the K-12 classroom. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. 8(4), 223-232. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.841a

Yarker, M.B., PaiMazumder, D., Cahill, C.F., Dehn, J., Prakash, A. and Mölders, N. (2010). Theoretical investigations on potential impacts of high-latitude volcanic emissions of heat, aerosols, and vapor and their interactions with clouds and precipitation. The Open Atmospheric Science Journal, 4, 24-44. doi:10.2174/1874282301004010024

Serrato, A., Yarker, M.B., Mesquita, M. d. S., Mateika, B. (2019). A Case for Entrepreneurial Meteorology. External Abstract, Preceding of the Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society.  DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14782.13127

Yarker, M.B., Kelsey, E. & Mesquita, M. d.S. (2015). A Hybrid Approach to Online and Traditional Learning during a Boundary Layer Meteorology Course. Extended Abstract, Preceding of the Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.4626.7363

Mesquita, M.d.S., Veldore, V., Yarker, M.B. and Lamadrid, A. (2011). Long-Term E-Capacity Building (LEAD): A New Approach for Climate Science Research. Conference Of the Parties (COP) Publication, TERI Press, New Dehli.  Parties (COP) Publication, TERI Press, New Dehli.

Instructor Kirkwood Community College (2018-Present)

Teaching Practicum University of Iowa (2010)

Course Instructor University of Iowa (2009-2013)

Professional Development Workshop Coordinator and Instructor University of Iowa (2011) 

TASK Fellowship (NSF GK-12 extension) University of Alaska (2007-2008) 

Lab Instructor University of Alaska (2008)

WiSE Visiting Scientist- Middle School Classrooms Iowa State University (2005-2006)

Peer Tutor Iowa State University (2004-2006)   

ATEEC Workshop Aid University of Northern Iowa (2001-2009)

Troop Recruiter Girl Scouts of the USA (2004-2006)

Elementary School Tutor Iowa City School District (2010)

Adult Trainer Girl Scouts of the USA (2003-2006)

Member Educator Alpha Sigma Kappa- Women in Technical Studies (2004-2006)

Yarker, M.B. and Mesquita, M. d. S. (2019, April). I am an Entrepreneurial Meteorologist. Invited presentation at New Minds for New Science: The Forecast for Work in Weather, Water, and Climate. Washington D.C.

Yarker, M. B., Stanier, C. O., Forbes, C., & Park, S. (2011). Incorporating scientific models into the school curriculum: An approach for future climate modelers. Invited paper presented at the NorWRF conference, Bergen, Norway.

Mesquita, M. d.S. and Yarker, M.B. (2018, January). Minding the Gap: A Theoretical Approach to Increase Accessibility of Seasonal Forecast Products. Paper presented at the AMS Annual Meeting. Austin, Tx.

Yarker, M.B. (2018, January). An Example of Model-Based Inquiry: Teaching about Climate and Weather Models during a Greenhouse Effect Activity. Paper presented at the AMS Annual Meeting. Austin, Tx.

Yarker, M.B., Benus, M. and Mesquita, M. d.S. (2017, January). Considerations when Developing HPC Weather and Climate Models for Scientists in Developing Countries. Paper presented at the AMS Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA.

Yarker, M.B. & Mesquita, M. d.S. (2015). Utilizing Facebook Groups to Facilitate Peer Discussion in an Online Course about Regional Climate Modeling. Paper presented at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting. Phoenix, AZ.

Yarker, M.B., Stanier, C.O., Forbes, C. & Park, S. (2014). Using Models to Teach about Climate Change: A look at the NGSS Expectations and Teacher Perceptions. Paper presented at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting. Atlanta, GA.

Yarker, M.B., Mesquita, M. d.S., & Veldore, V. (2013). An Online Approach for Training International Climate Scientists to use Computer Models. Paper presented at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting. San Francisco, CA.

Yarker, M.B., Stanier, C.O., Forbes, C. & Park, S. (2013). Challenges Teachers Encounter When Using Models to Teach Weather and Climate in Middle School Classrooms. Paper presented at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting. Austin, TX.

Yarker, M.B., Stanier, C.O., Forbes, C. & Park, S. (2012). Mapping Model to Argument -based Inquiry as an Approach to Support Middle School Teachers in Teaching Climate, Weather, and Energy Topics. Paper presented at the annual meeting of National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Indianapolis, IN.

Yarker, M. B. & Park, S. (2011). Analysis of teaching resources available through NSTA publications that promote use of interdisciplinary approaches in K-12 science classrooms. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association 2011 Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.