Many professional development programs and workshops are developed that last a few years and eventually fade away. It is quite rare in our rapidly changing world of recent years that a program started in 1984 by two college professors from SUNY Brockport in New York would, with refinement and growth to meet changing needs, now be an outstanding array of programs under AMS Education. This accomplishment was achieved by the hard work and vision of Dr. Ira Geer and Dr. Robert Weinbeck. A brief history of the programs and related materials will be presented. New opportunities emerged as they moved to the AMS Education initiative and additional very talented university persons were brought on staff. The programs have provided great science to teachers and students in all U.S. states, as well as educators around the world. The continued wise desisions by Dr. Geer, Dr. Weinbeck, and the others have brought recognition to the programs on both national and international levels.

It is also significant that of the original NSF summer program in meteorology that would bring together 24 teachers from around the country in 1984, three of the group are still actively involved in the earth science teacher training programs, courses, and outreach activities after twenty years. They are the paper's presentors; Greenleaf, Mulvany, and Carlson. This is a tribute to the fine programs, materials, and pleasure of working with such interesting leadership. Likewise, we as advocates, facilitators, and presentators plan to continue our efforts along with the many other great classroom and college persons in the various programs.