The 2005 NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) Weather Camps

During July of 2005, the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) sponsored Weather Camps for high school students at Howard University and Jackson State University. The goals of these camps were threefold: (1) To provide a basis for understanding the concepts that drive our atmosphere, (2) to provide an introduction to the national infrastructure that is responsible for observing, predicting and providing weather information that is vital to the safety and welfare of the American public and economy, (3) to share the excitement that comes with studying the atmosphere. At Howard University the Weather Camp was geared to students in grades 10-12 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, although students also came from other parts of the country. The HU Weather Camp was a residence camp that lasted for approximately 3 weeks. Students received numerous presentations from weather experts such as the local NWS Weather Forecasting Office, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and NBC-4 Studios in Washington DC. Students in the HU weather camp also worked on team projects that were presented at the end of the camp. The Jackson State Weather Camp lasted one week and was composed of 9th-11th grade students from schools in the Jackson, MS metropolitan area. Students learned about the basic processes of the atmosphere through lectures by JSU faculty and staff and hands-on exercises. They also took part in field trips to the local NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO), a television weathercasting studio, and meteorological observing sites. Each participant was required to do an oral presentation on a subject of personal interest.