STUDENTS PUT 'STORMFEST' ON PITTSBURGH'S RADAR
Posted on February 4, 2013
Fun is in the forecast at the sixth annual StormFest at the
Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. The annual educational outreach event is hosted in part by
the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Meteorological Society
(Cal U Meteorology Club) and the Earth Sciences Department, in collaboration
with the Science Center. StormFest, a family friend event that explores geology,
geography, meteorology and more, will be held Feb. 15-16. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 15, children in grades K-6 will
take field trips to the Science Center for activities. StormFest is open to the
general public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 16. Activities are free with paid
admission to the Science Center. Dozens of activities have been designed by Cal U students to
teach children about the science behind weather and other natural phenomena. Crowd
favorites include making rocks, lava lamps, rains sticks and “glurch,” a
substance with both solid and liquid properties. Cal U meteorology students will staff the event, along with
students majoring in geology, geographic information systems, mathematics and
education. Cal U also has recruited volunteers from Ohio University. Nick “the Weather Dude” Walker, a meteorologist from The
Weather Channel will be at StormFest on Feb. 16 to sign autographs and perform
on the Science Center stage. Walker is the author of Sing Along with the Weather Dude, a book and CD for children, and Don’t Get Scared, Just Get Prepared, a
CD of weather songs to teach severe weather preparedness. Visitors on Feb. 16 will receive a free souvenir T-shirt if
they complete at least 18 activities.
