KU–OUR–METPACT: YEAR II: GROWTH Paul J. Croft Kean University Department of Geology & Meteorology

Operational Undergraduate Research in Meteorology, Professional Activities, & Collaborative Training Professional Activities… Real-time weather forecasting Data collection and analysis Synthesis and Products for use KU Student Chapter AMS/NWA Honors Seminar, Senior Seminar Professional Development Abstract, Preprint, Presentations Conferences, Manuscripts Collaborative Training… Private Sector Groups, Offices National Weather Service, Others Television & Radio Stations in area KU Department, School, Programs Guest Speakers, Tours, Activities Operational Research… Field applications, climatology Forecast Relevance, methods Knowledge & Understanding Advancement of Techniques Liaison: Partners, Collaboratives

Growth through Research in Operational Weather – Training Holistically SECURED Program… Student Educational Collective for Undergraduate Research Experiences and Development HOW???  Majors and others at KU  Select topics for the regional area  Coursework and Experiential Learning  Additional resources, references  Research Team efforts, meetings, mentors  Professional Setting & Conduct, Outcomes  Outcomes oriented for project & students  Products for use, understanding, extension  Involvement of Epsilon Corps, CESE, MISE Students Partnering with Faculty… Expansion from Independent Study Use of Seminar and Special Topics courses Research Team, data/disagreements, multiple perspectives, task completions, and organization Identify questions to be asked, resources needed, coordination with others, resolution Problem-Based Learning Funding provided by KU – ORSP Summer work followed by AY completion

SpF – Progress, Results, Status… Convective Initiation –Where, When, Why? –Base State Flows from surface through 200mb –June, July, August 2006 plus lightning data –Improve with regard to location of the initiation, evolution of cells with time, and coverage of region by the activity –Physiographic Features of interest, Intensity, Severe events –Prediction improved? Why? –Thanks also to Mount Holly and Upton NWS! Data Collection & Analysis –Data collection, sorting, parsing –Spreadsheets, programming –Statistical summaries, methods –Collaborative Learning –Cooperative Learning Collaborative, Cooperative Effort - NWS Mount Holly, NJ & Upton, NY (PHI/OKX) - Conference preparation/support, practice presentation - Interaction with other professionals, Training - Literature and other resources (online & otherwise) - Collective portfolio development by students Topics… oCool Season Severe oWinter Season Fog oAQI Patterns oWRF Modeling oOctober Tropical oRain- Snow Line oSea Breeze

Professional Stewards & Partners… Assessing Students & Outcomes – Coursework & applications – Learning Styles, Methods – Real-time Environment – Research Projects – Communication Skills – Professional Settings Conferences Posters/Orals Award Competitions Internships, Programs Employment, Grad School

Outcomes & More! * Support retention, professional development, & skills set for career applications, jobs, & graduate school Operational Geo-Weather Research & Operations Center at Kean University (Geo-Wx-ROCK) Supported by Majors & Non-Majors, Practicum Service to KU, Community, Professional Real-time Forecasts, Research, Products Skills Development, Communications, and from Collaborator to Colleague…and more students! * Coordination with government, private sector, other partners in operational meteorology * Student Collective within KU for an Operational Geo-Weather Center

Questions/Comments? KU-OUR-METPACT: Year II SECURED development & GROWTH Paul J. Croft Kean University Department of Geology & Meteorology