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Young Meteorologist Programand

NWS Education Resources

Ron GirdOutreach Program LeaderNational Weather Service

October 18, 2011

National Weather Association

Annual Meeting

Owlie History

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1976NWS

1984FEMA

2005FEMARed Cross 2011

NWS WCM/SCH Outreach2500 school visits/year

50,000 Owlie publications/year

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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/

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YMP Project Overview

TodayOwlie Publication

TomorrowYMP On-Line Activity

Powerpoints-Podiums-Publications: Old SchoolEngagement-online learning: New School

FREE

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The Project Leader

Mission StatementPLAN!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

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YMP Project TeamJune 2010 the team is formed:

Team leader:Plan!TNOW

Donna LeeTeam members:

NOAA Education OfficeNational Weather Service

OCWWS OutreachField Offices

American Meteorological Society

National Education Association

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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

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Signature Inaugural BenefitAugust 21, 2011

Martha’s Vineyard

Goal: Continue to provide scholarships and educational services to those who

need it the most.

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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

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YMP Overview

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YMP Highlights

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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

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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

• 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

• NASA e-Clips15

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Summary

Comments Suggestions Encouraged

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John D. De Block    

Warning Coordination MeteorologistNWS Weather Forecast Office - Birmingham

465 Weathervane RdCalera, Alabama 35040

Office: 205-621-5645 x 223 Cell: 205-287-1652 Fax: 205-664-7821

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