Radar information is available to people now more than ever before. The Internet, cell phone capabilities, and other technological devices have allowed everyday citizens to acquire information that was previously only available to meteorologists. Radar is an important meteorological tool, and if those in society are to make informed decisions while using it, they need to understand the image at which they are looking. However, the extent to which everyday citizens understand radar is unknown.

Iowa State University students were surveyed to determine whether or not they know enough about radar to make informed decisions during severe and hazardous weather events. The survey is in conjunction with a summer undergraduate research experience where a proposal was submitted to the National Science Foundation. The proposal was written to use video and web-based material to teach the public about radar research, past and present. The results of the survey will be used to further shape the content of the proposed video and web-based material. It is also hoped that the survey will be expanded in the future to include a larger population in order to gain a better perspective on not only what university students understand regarding radar, but the general public as well.