WeatherFest: A Community Outreach and Education Activity

WeatherFest is an interactive science and weather fair designed to instill a love for math and science in children of all ages and to spark a young person’s interest in this area so they may consider a career in these and other science and engineering fields. WeatherFest was first created and launched at the 2002 AMS annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Since then several organizations have adopted WeatherFest model and conducted their own version of this popular education and outreach event. Most notably is the PLAN!T NOW (P!N) organization, a non-profit company promoting severe weather science and safety. P!N Founder, Donna Lee, recruited several key staff positions for the two P!N Planning committees at the National and local levels. Organizations included a local TV Meteorologists, several National Weather Service staff, and a local, popular community organization such as a public library or a health facility. Other organizations, mostly local community-based, were added depending upon the city where WeatherFest was being held. The event is free to exhibitors and free to attend!

WeatherFest is an interactive public education and outreach event promoting the concepts and fundamental principles of meteorology, hydrology and oceanography using hands-on demonstrations, exhibits and activities which engage organizations and public. Most of all, plain language is stressed in order for the audience to feel comfortable and engage with the many organizations participating in WeatherFest. Children and parents are invited to come to WeatherFest to participate in hands-on type experiments/activities, and even give a weather forecast in front of an actual television screen. Most events also include the National Weather Service severe weather mascot, Owlie Skywarn. Hand-outs include weather safety information, career guides, scholarship information, and prizes. The local broadcast meteorologists play an important role in WeatherFest which provides an opportunity to talk with meteorologists providing daily forecasts and with safety personnel such as the American Red Cross and emergency managers. WeatherFest’s goal is to educate families about severe weather and safety and to excite children about science and science education. WeatherFest has been so successful it has become an annual event in some communities.

Best practice elements contributing to successful WeatherFest Programs will discussed.