In 1931, a tornado struck Gainesville, Georgia, killing 221 people. Property damage from such events commonly exceeds 100 million dollars. These examples suggest that weather and climate have considerable impact on Georgians. Severe events, including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightening, and hail, all have disastrous effects on life and property.

This proposal outlines a series of informational programs focused on severe and unusual weather in Georgia. For each of the four severe weather events mentioned above, we will (1) describe the phenomena, (2) describe the atmospheric processes associated with it, and (3) examine the impacts it has on Georgia’s economy and society. In addition, the scale of potential destruction will be stressed; the concept of scale is becoming more and more important to earth science. Finally, the topics covered are suitable at the K-3 level up to 12^th grade.

This series will be divided into five 60 minute sessions. These sessions will be developed so that the amount of time spent viewing each session will vary depending on grade level; teachers will determine the amount of time spent viewing. The scaleable nature of these sessions make them most attractive. Workbook exercises will support the GSAMS presentation. From these exercises, the physical and cultural geography of Georgia will be reinforced. Certificates of Completion (Junior Weather Observer) will be distributed to all K-4 students participating in individual sessions.

The first severe weather program will be scheduled for spring, 1998, and will continue through the following school year.

With the recent state curricula rewrite, Georgia students are expected to understand weather and climate concepts and their impacts. The curricula include observation and measurement, patterning of weather events, severe and extreme types of weather, and climate zones. In addition to reinforcing the Earth Science curriculum, this program on severe weather will build upon the curriculum by providing data relevant to Georgia.

The Georgia State Board of Education established 13 QCC topic areas related to weather and climate. The Georgia State Climate Office has received frequent inquiries from agriculture, industry, and local school districts concerning severe weather events. Current GSAMS offerings include very few programs focused on these topics.

Severe weather events affect many aspects of our daily lives. Basic weather and climate concepts can be explained through understanding how often, where, and what type of severe weather event effects Georgia. The overall value of this programming is that it will provide students, educators, and the public up to date information on potentially life threatening and economically sensitive topics.

Discussions with educators suggest an overwhelming need for science enrichment programs at the K-12 level. A recent review of postings to the GSAMS listserv confirms this need. In addition, the Georgia State Climate Office is frequently asked to address severe weather related questions.

This program will be coordinated by the Georgia State Climate Office. It will be developed in collaboration with The University of Georgia and National Weather Service.

The Georgia State Climate Office will continue and update this program; distance learning is a new facet to our outreach efforts. Initial funds from GSAMS are required for core program development.

The Georgia State Climate Office will provide staff salaries (2 EFTs for up to 80 hours total). The University of Georgia will provide the web site allowing Internet access to the web portion of this program (http://www.bae.uga.edu/climate/).

We project everyone in the GSAMS community, especially K-12, will benefit. This program can be presented in a two-way interaction or one-way broadcast.