THE outlook is bright for Okehampton students who will be among those keeping an eye on the weather as part of a new educational project.
Primary and secondary schools across Devon including Okehampton College will be equipped with the wireless technology to investigate the county's 'micro-climates' over the coming years, thanks to SETPOINT Devon and the MET Office, which has recently relocated to Exeter.
Special wireless recording equipment is being installed at the college, allowing students to examine weather patterns.
This innovative meteorological programme will enable students to track variations in the county's weather patterns, while developing their skills in science, geography, mathematics and information technology.
Students will work together with feeder primaries also equipped with weather recording apparatus.
The feeder primaries which will be working with Okehampton College are Boasley Cross, Bridestowe, Chagford, Exbourne, Hatherleigh, Lewtrenchard, Lydford, Northlew and Ashbury, North Tawton, Okehampton Primary and South Tawton.
'Imaginative projects like this, bringing hi-tech resources and opportunities into schools and colleges are the result of successful partnerships between schools, business and industry,' said Pam Bowen, deputy chief executive for SETNET — the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network, one of the partners in this project.
She added the project highlighted the excellent work being done to 'inspire young people about science, maths and technology'.
The initiative was launched with the delivery of two Cray T3E supercomputers to the MET Office's new operation centre in Exeter, and the project continues to develop with the introduction of teacher training programmes and plans for a visitor information centre.