Rachel
A World View at the International Forum
AMS Chapter of the Year Awarded
Posters Provide Array of Presentations
Fellows Honored at Review
At the Welcome Reception following the 90th Annual Review and Fellows Awards Sunday night, newly elected Fellows socialized with attendees at the Student Conference and Local Chapter Poster sessions, which were held in conjunction.
Weather Fun Draws a Crowd
About 5,000 people came in out of the rain to enjoy the weather fun inside at the 9th WeatherFest this afternoon.
Get Hands-On at WeatherFest
Ready for some fun and games? Come to the kickoff of WeatherFest, a huge interactive science fair for weather enthusiasts of all ages. From noon to four on Sunday, nearly sixty exhibitors will feature a variety of displays designed to instill a love of science and learning. Meet your favorite local television meteorologist and learn how weather and climate affects daily life in Atlanta. Try a real weather forecast online at Forecast Central (http://forecastcentral.com) or create a “Cloud in a Bottle” at North Wasco District 21’s booth.
The Georgia Aquarium (http://georgiaaquarium.org) will be there with interactive hands-on games and activities. Learn how aquatic animals like penguins, sea otters, and beluga whales have adapted to survive chilly conditions. Georgia Tech Research Institute (http://gtri.gatech.edu) will have a mini-museum on the science and technology of lasers, with applications in meteorology. With a multitude of schools exhibiting at the event, it’s the perfect venue for both teachers and students looking to advance their knowledge.
For the kids there will be numerous weather games throughout the fest as well as raffle drawings. Check out AccuWeather’s Kids Weather Area featuring games, downloads, and “WheatherWhys,” or toss a balloon or two at CoCoRaHS’s (http://www.cocorahas.org/) Rain Gauge Water Balloon Toss.
WeatherFest is not only fun but free, so come get up close and personal with the weather on Sunday from noon to four in Registration Hall A/B at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Take a Dip in the Wild Ocean
If you haven’t gotten your fill of science at the meeting, there’s more at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The museum strives to inspire life-long learning of natural history through dynamic programming and interactive science displays.
Along with their permanent exhibits, this month features a special exhibit, “My Favorite Things.” For the exhibit, each department chose a natural history piece from storage to put on display. The exhibit by nature is designed to appeal to scientists of all ages and fields in its diversity.
Of special interest to oceanographers, “Wild Ocean” is playing at the IMAX theater. Filmed on South Africa’s wild coast, the movie touches on the balance not only between the oceans and people but the relationship between all living things. Showing through March 11, show times are Monday through Saturday 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00, with a 9:15 p.m. showing on Friday; and Sunday 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00.
We would tell you about the 7 p.m. extra showing this Friday (shhh!), but instead that’s when Richard Somerville author of the AMS-published book, The Forgiving Air, will give a talk on climate change at the museum.
Looking for Snow in Atlanta?
Northeasterners and those from colder climates visiting Atlanta may be trying to escape the snow during the Annual Meeting. But for those who aren’t, there’s a place nearby to play. Stone Mountain Park’s Snow Mountain, Atlanta’s first snow park, is a virtual winter wonderland.
The park includes a tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play area, filled with a blizzard of snow activities. Although the manufactured snow is icy compared to the fluff that occasionally falls in Atlanta, the warmer air temperatures allow for more comfortable outdoor play.
Originally planned to open in 2007, the park was widely criticized for its plans to use one million gallons of tap water during a drought. The plan was changed to use water from the park’s own lake and the park opened last year.
Georgia’s Got a Groundhog, Too
He may not be Punxsutawney Phil, but General Beau Lee is the groundhog to look to for the winter forecast in Georgia. Although he doesn’t make his official appearance until February, Beau’s home, the “Weathering Heights” mansion at Yellow River Game Ranch (www.yellowrivergameranch.com), is a good getaway destination this week if you’re looking for meteorological curiosities or trying to entertain the family.
Located just two and one-half miles east of Stone Mountain on Highway 78, the ranch offers an opportunity not only to meet furry weathercasters, but other animals on an up close and personal basis. Walk down a mile-long trail on 24 wooded acres, where over six hundred birds and animals indigenous to the state of Georgia reside.
Located on the banks of the Yellow River, the ranch was affected by the heavy rains and floods in September, but fortunately no animals, nor the mansion, were in danger and the ranch is back to functioning as usual.
The Yellow River Game Ranch is open from 10:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday and 10:00 to 6:00 Saturday and Sunday. For more details visit the Web site.