Research Interests
sustainabilityscience communication
Opportunities
Work Study Positions Available: No
Grant Funded Positions Available: No
Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: No
Volunteer Research Positions Available: No
Biography
Meteorologist Drew Anderson has two research focuses: sustainability and science communication.
Drew travels around the world for his research in sustainability. He records on-location videos to show how some countries excel with sustainability and how others fall behind. While these videos give students a global perspective, they also help students connect to the rest of the world: the world doesn't feel so remote when it's on your screen.
In addition to media-focused learning, students learn through experience in his classes. Each semester, his students do a sustainability scavenger hunt on campus. When they arrive at a correct location, media unlocks on their smartphone through an augmented reality app. A short video, website, or interactive image will appear to explain how West Chester University does something sustainable right there.
Online, Drew has students step away from their computer to do hands-on experiments with household items. He says, “if you experience a scientific concept firsthand, it becomes so clear and so memorable."
What are the best ways to make science more clear and more memorable? That’s something Drew’s trying to figure out with his science communication research.
Drew likes to share his latest research with the academic community at seminars and conferences. Some of his latest talks have focused on how to excel at science presentations, sustainability communication, and online teaching.
You can also see Drew’s science and weather presentations on your own screen. Maybe you have seen Meteorologist Drew Anderson on ESPN or on your local news station doing the weather, anchoring, or reporting.
For nearly 15 years, viewers across Pennsylvania have trusted Drew for their local forecast. Watch Drew every week on FOX29 in Philadelphia.
Drew's work in meteorology has been recognized by Penn State when he graduated (awarded Laureate status) and when he taught for the University (awarded the 2017 teaching excellence award). He also has the prestigious Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal of approval from The American Meteorological Society, an award from AccuWeather, and is consistently nominated for Emmys.
West Chester University has also recognized Drew’s work in sustainability and media. The school awarded him a sustainability grant, and they added a course he created to their list of general education classes. The course, ESS 127, studies Earth and space science in movies, media, and entertainment.
Drew loves bringing his knowledge of the film industry to that class. He has acted in a Leonardo DiCaprio movie directed by Martin Scorsese, an Adam Sandler Netflix movie, a Tom Hanks movie, and a Bollywood movie.
And don't hesitate to ask Drew about what to do on your next trip. He has visited every state, every continent, and every Canadian province. Drew loves talking about travel and telling stories about his time as an expedition guide in Antarctica.
