Young Meteorologist Program
and
NWS Education Resources
National Weather Association
Annual Meeting
Ron Gird
Outreach Program Leader
National Weather Service
October 18, 2011
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Owlie History
NWS WCM/SCH Outreach
2500 school visits/year
50,000 Owlie publications/year
1976
NWS
1984
FEMA
2005
FEMA
Red Cross
2011
2
Plan!TNOW Background
• Morgan Freeman an avid sailor
• 2004 Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada
• Morgan Freemman volunteered to help the
island recover.
– Created Caribbean Cook Book
– Formed the Plan!TNOW organization
• 501 (C) 3 non profit company
• http://www.planitnow.org/
3
YMP Project Overview
Today
Owlie Publication
Tomorrow
YMP On-Line Activity
FREE
Powerpoints-Podiums-Publications: Old School
Engagement-online learning: New School
4
The Project Leader
501(C) 3 Non Profit
Mission Statement
PLAN!T NOW advocates empowerment of people through
information and connection, and creates dialogue between
people and organizations preparing for and dealing with natural
and human-made disasters. Operating with the understanding
that no matter where you live, a natural disaster can happen at
any time, PLAN!T NOW advocates the power of preparedness.
5
YMP Project Team
June 2010 the team is formed:
Team leader:
Plan!TNOW
Donna Lee
Team members:
NOAA Education Office
National Weather Service
OCWWS Outreach
Field Offices
American Meteorological Society
National Education Association
6
NWS Participation
• OCWWS-Outreach
– Member of Technical Advisory Team
• Transfer science and safety from Owlie to YMP
• Assist in developing YMP Marketing Plan
– Focused on the “Weather Enterprise”
– Assist in getting new YMP Affiliates/Sponsors
» NEW Midland Radio is a sponsor
• NWS Field Offices
• NWS WCM-SCH participation
– WFO New Orleans participating
» Mentoring a local school
• NCEP-National Hurricane Center
– Early 2012 Roll-out in Miami, FL
7
NWS Participation
Signature Inaugural Benefit
August 21, 2011
Martha’s Vineyard
Goal: Continue to provide scholarships
and educational services to those who
need it the most.
8
YMP Features
• The Young Meteorologist Program (YMP)
–
–
–
–
Based on the science and safety in Owlie
FREE online program
All students, all grades (K-12)
Engagement activities
• “Games”—Factoids—Activities
– Certification awarded upon completion
– Work within their community to promote
environmental awareness
9
NWS Outreach Activities
• NWS Field participation
– YMP tool-kit to each office
– Incorporate into NWS school visits
– Incorporate into local EM StormReady activities
– Promote at Community Outreach events
• NOAA/NWS National Participation
– Paper/Demo at AMS Broadcast Conference
– Paper/Demo at Satellites and Education Conference
– Demo at AARP annual meeting/NOAA Exhibit
– Paper/Demo at 2012 AMS New Orleans
10
YMP Overview
11
YMP Highlights
12
YMP Benefits
• Additional NWS science for students
– Fires
– Earthquakes/Tsunamis
• Expanded for all students (K-12)
– Owlie was intended for young students (K-6)
• Can lower NWS Outreach costs
– Potential to reduce Owlie publication costs
• Supports NWS Weather ReadyNation
• Expanded Marketing Opportunities
13
Next Steps
• January 2012
– Participate in AMS WeatherFest-New Orleans
• Early 2012
– Nation Wide Roll Out
• Miami, FL
– Announcement to NWS Field Offices
• WCM and SCH networks
14
Additional Resources
• NOAA/NWS Education Web Sites
– Meteorology-101 High School
• www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream
– NEW NOAA Education for Teachers
• www.education.noaa.gov
– NOAA-2009 Year of Science
• www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/yos
– NOAA Games
• www.games.noaa.gov
15
Summary
Comments Suggestions Encouraged
16
Next Speaker
John D. De Block
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
NWS Weather Forecast Office - Birmingham
465 Weathervane Rd
Calera, Alabama 35040
Office: 205-621-5645 x 223
Cell: 205-287-1652
Fax: 205-664-7821
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