OBSERVER: How to master Copernicus data with online learning tools

OBSERVER: How to master Copernicus data with online learning tools

OBSERVER: How to master Copernicus data with online learning tools CSO Tanya Walker
Thu, 24/06/2021 – 08:56

The Copernicus programme helps people understand the Earth’s climate, it enables more efficient urban and rural planning and it helps decision-makers understand how to use resources more sustainably. The programme offers a variety of products, services and valuable tools for professionals, students, researchers, public authorities and entrepreneurs.  

However, the amount of information available can easily be overwhelming and confusing. With a wide range of possible applications, it is not just scientists who use Copernicus data, services, and products. Policy makers, public services, industries and businesses, and curious individuals are also exploiting these data. It is therefore necessary to provide everyone with the knowledge base and capacities to understand and use Copernicus data. Fortunately, there are many online learning tools helping all interested citizens discover how Copernicus can help them find smarter and more efficient solutions in their field.  

Exploring the power of Copernicus with MOOCs 

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are designed to educate stakeholders and the general public about the opportunities provided by the Copernicus programme. There are currently three MOOCs available: the Monitoring the Oceans from Space – MOOC on the role of satellites in ocean monitoring; the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition – a MOOC about atmospheric monitoring using satellites, in-situ data and models; and the Copernicus MOOC, about understanding and using Earth Observation and other environmental data provided by the Copernicus services in order to address societal challenges and generate business opportunities. 

First released in 2016, “Monitoring the Oceans from Space” is a course developed by EUMETSAT in the framework of the Copernicus programme that introduced diverse new audiences to the world of satellite Earth observation data and their role in monitoring our oceans.  More specifically, this course provides an overview of the different types of data, imagery and their applications, and introduces you to the fundamental techniques and methodologies of working with these data. Through practical examples it explores how to use ocean monitoring EO data in real-world case-studies and in a range of areas of policy and decision-making and explores emerging technologies and trends. It ran several times and is now available on a permanent basis here.  

First released in 2018, the “Monitoring Atmospheric Composition” MOOC, developed by ECMWF and EUMETSAT, focuses on understanding pertinent environmental issues such as pollution, health, ozone and policies, using videos, expert interviews, quizzes and interactive content. It explains the role of ground and air based in situ data and satellite Earth observation (EO) technology in monitoring our atmosphere, and the informative and critically important data it produces. Furthermore, within the framework of this MOOC, an Atmosphere MOOC Data Viewer was created. Data relevant to the course can be explored with the Viewer, allowing participants to not only acquire the theoretical knowledge, but also understand how to view and use satellite data. The course is also permanently available here.  

The latest in the MOOC family is the “Copernicus MOOC”. Starting in Spring 2020, a second round took place in Fall 2020. This MOOC is specifically designed for people who use, or who could use, geospatial data to address societal challenges or create business opportunities. It is aimed to help anybody understand how Copernicus – and space data in general – can be used to support evidence-based public policy, as well as to develop new products and services, open up new markets, improve quality of life, and make the most of limited resources in a sustainable way. Just like the other two MOOCs, it is also funded by the European Union and is completely free of charge.  

The key topics of Copernicus MOOC 

The course addresses three key topics: 

Understanding Copernicus data and services – what they are, and how they can be accessed and used; 
Learning from success stories – understanding how existing Copernicus-enabled services and applications have been developed and deployed; 
Doing it yourself – acquiring the key skills and knowledge to develop and deploy Copernicus-enabled products and services and to navigate the Copernicus ecosystem. 

The modules are taught by internationally recognised experts and successful practitioners in an engaging and interactive format including webinars, videos, case studies, or projects.  

The materials developed for the Copernicus MOOC course are now available to all on the following page: https://www.copernicus.eu/en/opportunities/education/copernicus-mooc 

Workshops and trainings on specific uses of Copernicus data 

Aside from the MOOCs, there are always trainings and workshops on specific topics that are available. The “events” pages of the Copernicus and the Services’ websites reflect the latest training opportunities such as workshops, user meetings and webinars. They mostly focus on a specific topic, product, dataset or geographical region. Livestreams of past events can often also be found on the events’ webpage.  

The Copernicus Climate Change Service offers a recurring free training through its User Learning Services. The training aims to improve the understanding of how to use the Climate Data Store platform and its content in order to design and develop climate services. It covers data discovery and use of climate data, sectorial information and more.  More information and dates of the upcoming sessions can be found here.  

All the Copernicus Services, as well as ESA and EUMETSAT, have ongoing training opportunities and workshops. Check out the Copernicus website or the relevant services’ websites. 

Enabling continuous learning through YouTube 

It is not only MOOCs and specific trainings that can help you understand Copernicus data. YouTube channels such as the Copernicus channel, EUMETSAT and others also hold a wealth of information. 

On the Copernicus YouTube channel you will find a series of training videos, presentations and module demonstrations of the Copernicus programme and its service.  Apart from information about the access to Copernicus data and their use, there are also videos about funding instruments, as well as practical information for entrepreneurs, developers, GI professionals and public authorities. 

EUMETSAT’s YouTube channel has a series of videos that provide training on how to access, download and manipulate Sentinel-3 marine data from the Copernicus Online Data Access (CODA) platform, enabling users to become familiar with the main product features. To accompany the video tutorials, a set of Copernicus Sentinel-3 marine user handbooks is also available. 

Another YouTube channel full of videos about the use of Copernicus data is the Copernicus Research and User Support (RUS) channel. It contains recordings of RUS webinars and e-learning videos on how to download, process, analyse and visualise the free data acquired by the Copernicus satellites constellation exploiting the ESA SNAP toolboxes. 

Three of the Copernicus services also have informative YouTube channels: the Copernicus Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Service and the Copernicus Marine Service. These channels include tutorials on how to use the data, sectorial information, use cases and recordings of previous trainings.  

An infinite pool of knowledge  

The internet is a never-ending source of information and knowledge which offers many ways of learning about the use and opportunities of Copernicus data. Universities, public and private organisations, as well as interested individuals fuelled by their passion for satellite data are sharing tutorials, offering courses, or preparing online content about the Copernicus programme. Watch a video, attend a training or take part in a MOOC – anyone with an appetite to learn can enjoy the online resources and understand how to leverage Copernicus data.  

Thu, 24/06/2021 – 12:00