Planetary Boundary Layer Workshop in the Time of COVID-19

We were funded to host a 2-week workshop in the summer of 2020 at the Howard University Beltsville Campus in Beltsville, MD. The workshop was targeted at under-represented students and offered instruction in three tracks: planetary boundary layer modeling, air quality data analysis and instrumentation with plans for significant hands-on experience in the operation of various instruments. Plans were laid and arrangements were completed for travel and lodging for 16 students and two mentors to attend the workshop in the first two weeks of June, 2020. With the onset of the pandemic, the workshop was re-purposed as a fully virtual experience with a 2-week delay to provide additional time for workshop preparation. In early June, our community was in great disruption due to the killing of George Floyd in late May. This disruption made it necessary to delay the start of the workshop again until July 13-24, 2020 when the workshop was finally held as a fully virtual experience.

In this presentation, we will review the activities of the workshop and how it was conducted using an all virtual format. Students' perceptions of the workshop based on pre- and post-workshop surveys will be discussed. Challenges encountered due to the virtual format will be reviewed and potential solutions offered.