From left to right, Amarillo Electronics Technician David Wilburn, Discovery Center Executive Director Ganesh Ganpat, and Amarillo, TX, Electronic Systems Analyst Ken Hunter (standing) with the "tornado hole." The hole was built and is sponsored by WFO Amarillo as part of a 6-month temporary attraction at the Don Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo. The Discovery Center is a hands-on science museum for kids. (Photo provided by the Discovery Center staff)

The Hastings, NE, Weather Forecast Office recently completed its ninth year partnering with Hastings College to teach a meteorology lab in conjunction with a science elective entitled "Welcome to the Atmosphere." Each fall, four students are selected by Hastings College Professor Jim Dugan to participate. 2004 participants included left to right, Travis Rodak and Brian Benshoof (seated), Isaiah Dell, Katie Krause, and Science & Operations Officer Rick Ewald (standing). The students spend two hours per week during the semester at the NWS office. In addition to becoming familiar with the NWS and its mission, weekly topics such as: winter and severe weather, storm spotting, radar meteorology, and hurricanes are covered. Hands-on activities include an introduction to AWIPS, map analysis, and the grand finale, a severe weather case scenario utilizing the weather event simulator. Over the years, NWS Hastings' staff members have participated in leading the various sessions. To date, 36 students have successfully completed the lab. Beyond the outreach benefit of interacting with customers, the partnership has enabled the NWS to use facilities at the college for various meetings, conferences and training sessions. Photo by Steve Carmel, Hydrometeorological Technician, WFO Hastings, NE.

Carrie Lee, a Senior at Central High School in Aberdeen SD, received a $500 savings bond for designing the winning logo for the 2005 Aberdeen Women in Science (WIS) Conference co-hosted by WFO Aberdeen. From left, Unknown Skeleton; Lisa Johnsen, Administrative Services Assistant and WIS Planning Committee Co-Chairperson; Carrie Lee, 2005 WIS Logo Contest winner; Amy Liles, Met Intern and WIS Planning Committee member; and Mindy Albrecht, Forecaster and WIS Planning Committee member. The logo design contest has been a feature of the Aberdeen WIS program since the first conference in 2002. Each year, the winning logo is featured on WIS letters and in resource packets provided to conference attendees. Over 450 students and teachers are expected at this year's conference which will be held at Presentation College in Aberdeen on March 8. WFO Aberdeen personnel presented the award to Carrie during her Physiology/Anatomy class at Central High School on January 26, 2005. Photo by WFO Aberdeen MIC William Tallman.

Roger Kenyon (right), a Hydrometeorological Technician (HMT) at the Indianapolis, IN, forecast office is presented with the Indiana governor's "Sagamore of the Wabash" Award by John Ogren, Meteorologist-In-Charge, Indianapolis. The term "sagamore" was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern U.S. to describe a great man among the tribe to whom the chief would look for wisdom and advice. The award is the highest honor which the Governor of Indiana bestows, usually given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among those who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to the Hoosier heritage. Kenyon recently retired after more than 38 years of service to NOAA's NWS. More than half of that time was dedicated to the Cooperative Program in Indiana. He served for over 10 years as the program manager.

Take a look at other NWS news, as submitted for the NOAA Weekly Report.