Klimamatch: And the winner is…
Klimamatch: And the winner is…
Since August, around 6,050 students from grades 7–10 have used the app Klimamatch (Climate Match) to verify over 1.6 million historical weather data points from ship’s logs from the Danish National Archives
Digitized weather data
For centuries, captains and ship’s mates aboard Danish ships have – with quill and ink – kept logbooks recording weather conditions during their journeys.
These are the records that students have deciphered in the game Klimamatch. Wind directions, temperatures, icebergs, and many other weather observations—handwritten hundreds of years ago on a rolling ship—have now been digitized and will be used for climate research. Because only by understanding weather in the past can we say anything meaningful about the weather to come.
Køge Lille Skole wins main prize
The grand prize was awarded to the 8th grade at Køge Lille Skole.
The students recount: “Klimamatch has been insanely fun. We learned a lot about the climate, and we really worked well together as a group. It was amazing to know that we were actually helping real researchers, and winning just felt awesome. Towards the end, it was just ‘eyes on the prize, baby!’ Now we can’t wait for the award ceremony.”
Their teacher, Michelle Damskier, adds:
“We signed up for Klimamatch because the historical angle on climate sounded super exciting, and it caught the students’ interest right away. They became engaged in the game, making learning fun and strengthening the class community at the same time. As a teacher, it’s fantastic to see how students realize that their efforts actually help improve our understanding of the climate’s future. A special energy and respect emerged in the class, which is still palpable.”
What is Klimamatch?
Klimamatch is a free game available via mobile app and computer. In the game, students receive short excerpts from historic weather records found in ship logs, which they must read and verify. There is already an algorithm that attempts to interpret the handwriting automatically, but it is not 100 percent accurate. Students help check the authentic data and correct errors, ensuring the data is reliable and useful for researchers.
Students earn points, individually and as a class, based on the quantity and quality of the data they enter. Additional points are awarded for completing “boosters” created by both the National Archives and the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI). Through these, students learn about weather, climate, navigation, historical sources, and more.
Facts about Klimamatch
- Klimamatch is a collaboration between the Danish National Archives and DMI, and is part of the ROPEWALK project.
- ROPEWALK is supported by the A.P. Moller Foundation with a grant of 14.25 million DKK.
- 253 classes have competed in Klimamatch, and the results are impressive: 1,664,622 crowdsourced climate data points for climate research.
Students Celebrated at the M/S Maritime Museum
On November 3, the National Archives and DMI celebrated the students’ efforts at an event held at the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark in Helsingør. Here, the 8th grade from Køge Lille Skole received the grand prize of 25,000 DKK.
In addition to the main prize, regional winners were also named, with each class receiving 5,000 DKK for their class fund.
The regional winners are:
- Region of Southern Denmark: 7.C, Fourfeldtskolen, Esbjerg V
- North Denmark Region: 7.B, Dronninglund Skole, Dronninglund
- Central Denmark Region: G-Class, Krabbeshus Heldagsskole, Skive
- Region Zealand: 7th grade, Køge Lille Skole, Køge
- The Capital Region of Denmark: 7A, Hans Rømer Skolen, Aakirkeby
All students who participated in the competition received a diploma as recognition of their contributions.