Learn to Predict the Weather

Are you curious about how weather predictions are made? Come to Penn State Weather Camp and find out!

You will get hands-on experience in many aspects of weather, including the actual process of making a forecast, during your week at the premier location for studying weather, Penn State's Department of Meteorology at the University Park campus.

Penn State Weather Camp is a resident science experience designed for students who will enter grades eight through ten in the fall of 2008.

Become More Weather Wise!
Learn the answers to these questions:
• How do storms form?
• What do we know about the climate during the time of the dinosaurs?
• Why can't we be certain of tomorrow's weather?

Discover How to:
• read and analyze weather charts
• use forecast models to make predictions
• reconstruct past climate events
• make a TV weather presentation

Explore the World of Weather by:
• launching a weather balloon
• surfing the world's best Internet weather sites
• simulating a hurricane

Step into a Meteorologist's Job by:
• making a weather forecast each day
• deciding on policies related to global climate change
• presenting your own TV weathercast
• studying tornadoes from every angle

You Will Have the Opportunity to:
• explore the underlying principles for understanding meteorology
• learn how to use scientific methods while exploring various aspects of the atmosphere
• acquire valuable knowledge of the present, past, and future states of the atmosphere
• make isopleth surface weather maps, watch the release of a weather balloon, and examine the returning data
• watch a live broadcast and take a video copy home to share with your family, friends, fellow science students, and teachers

Other Experiences:
• You will learn about the various facilities and resources in the University Park area that are instrumental in the study and forecasting of the atmosphere.
• You will tour the local weather forecast office, the Weather World studios, AccuWeather, and the Earth Environmental Institute's supercomputing facilities. You will have a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand how state-of-the-art meteorological equipment can be used to improve weather forecasting.

Finally, you will get a glimpse of the various careers associated with meteorology. By the end of the camp you will have an appreciation for the wonders, complexity, and beauty of the atmosphere, and for people who have chosen careers in meteorology.