1 Young Meteorologist Program and NWS Education Resources Ron Gird Outreach Program Leader National Weather Service October 18, 2011 National Weather Association Annual Meeting

Owlie History NWS 1984 FEMA 2005 FEMA Red Cross 2011 NWS WCM/SCH Outreach 2500 school visits/year 50,000 Owlie publications/year

3 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

4 YMP Project Overview Today Owlie Publication Tomorrow YMP On-Line Activity Powerpoints-Podiums-Publications: Old School Engagement-online learning: New School FREE

5 The Project Leader 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. 501(C) 3 Non Profit

6 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

7 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

NWS Participation 8 Signature Inaugural Benefit August 21, 2011 Martha’s Vineyard Goal: Continue to provide scholarships and educational services to those who need it the most.

9 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

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

11 YMP Overview

12 YMP Highlights

13 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

14 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

Additional Resources NOAA/NWS Education Web Sites –Meteorology-101 High School –NEW NOAA Education for Teachers –NOAA-2009 Year of Science –NOAA Games NASA e-Clips 15

16 Summary Comments Suggestions Encouraged

17 John D. De Block Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS Weather Forecast Office - Birmingham 465 Weathervane Rd Calera, Alabama Office: x 223 Cell: Fax: Next Speaker