CW3E Participates in UC San Diego’s Future Leaders Summer Program 2025
August 28, 2025
On July 23, 2025, the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) was honored to once again host the Future Leaders Summer Program (FLSP) at the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier for an immersive afternoon focused on climate science and observational research. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of globally-minded leaders with a focus on diplomacy, innovation, and climate resilience. The program engages international and domestic high school students in experimental learning and collaborative problem-solving while working with expert faculty. The program is organized by the Global Leadership Institute at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, in partnership with the school’s 21st Century China Center and the 21st Century India Center.
This year’s program invited students to explore the intersection of the climate crisis, energy innovation, and artificial intelligence. As part of their “Interview with Experts” series, the 32 FLSP students joined CW3E field team members Douglas Alden and Jeri Wilcox for a guided tour of the Scripps Pier. During the tour, students learned about both ongoing and historical research activities conducted on the pier, observed environmental monitoring sensors and oceanographic research infrastructure, and gained insight into the daily operations of a working research pier.
The tour highlighted CW3E’s hydrometeorological observational efforts including a stop at the Center’s surface meteorological station located on the pier. Another highlight, a longtime FLSP student favorite, was the radiosonde weather balloon launch. The students participated in preparing and the release of the balloon and watched the atmospheric data stream in real time. The students also learned how the observations from the weather balloon launch are transmitted and assimilated into global weather models operated by meteorological agencies. This hands-on experience gave students a rare opportunity to engage directly in weather monitoring while gaining an appreciation for the collaborative nature of climate science conducted on a working research pier.
