HELP: Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences

**jmb** · 09-16-2010, 01:46 PM

I have a 6 yo boy that is crazy about weather. He is exceptionally passionate about weather(especially tornado stuff) and I would like to suprise him and somehow connect him with a 'inside' tour of the department. If I understand correctly ISU has several tornado simulators etc. and would love to find a way to get a demo-or other cool 'experience'.

Is this a possiability? He is exceptionally smart young boy, and weather is his passion. I would love to support his scientific interest...any ideas?

**Trainer** · 09-16-2010, 01:52 PM

One time i went to the science center in DM and they had a SWEET mini tornado that basically rotated dust particles and looked like a tornado. This was atleast 10 years ago. I have gone there recently and they have some pretty cool stuff there, especially for kids aged 5-10 older kids could get bored easier trying to damn up some water flowing down hill. Overall I think the science center would speaks volumes more to him because it is really hands on.

Not to discount ISU, but I don't know if the weather department would be able to pique the interests of a 6 year old that easily.

**Frak** · 09-16-2010, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by jmb

I have a 6 yo boy that is crazy about weather. He is exceptionally passionate about weather(especially tornado stuff) and I would like to suprise him and somehow connect him with a 'inside' tour of the department. If I understand correctly ISU has several tornado simulators etc. and would love to find a way to get a demo-or other cool 'experience'.

Is this a possiability? He is exceptionally smart young boy, and weather is his passion. I would love to support his scientific interest...any ideas?

The tornado simulator is more of an engineering thing, not meteorology. AeroE if I remember right.

**jmb** · 09-16-2010, 01:56 PM

He has seen the stuff at SCI-we are donors there. He really is on to more advanced stuff...he has planned out how he will build his own "TIV"(Tornado Intercept Vehicle).

**jmb** · 09-16-2010, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Frak

The tornado simulator is more of an engineering thing, not meteorology. AeroE if I remember right.

That is helpful. Thank you.

**RayShimley** · 09-16-2010, 02:17 PM

weea.aere.iastate.edu: Welcome to WEEA

There is a link to a pdf brochure which lists some contact info for faculty and staff who oversee the various simulators. I know they do tours for prospective students, but I'd guess you might be able to sweet talk them into doing one for your son.

**cstrunk** · 09-16-2010, 02:20 PM

If you've got money for a neat and interesting vacation, there are storm chasing tours that you can book for the spring in the great plains. They can be a little pricey, but it would definitely be an awesome experience for a young kid interested in such things.

**jmb** · 09-16-2010, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by cstrunk

If you've got money for a neat and interesting vacation, there are storm chasing tours that you can book for the spring in the great plains. They can be a little pricey, but it would definitely be an awesome experience for a young kid interested in such things.

that is a great idea. i just saw that for the first time in Men's Journal this month. Do you know of any that are better/appropriate for a younger guy?

**Ms3r4ISU** · 09-17-2010, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by RayShimley

weea.aere.iastate.edu: Welcome to WEEA

There is a link to a pdf brochure which lists some contact info for faculty and staff who oversee the various simulators. I know they do tours for prospective students, but I'd guess you might be able to sweet talk them into doing one for your son.

Well, I'm sure he IS a prospective student.

**heitclone** · 09-17-2010, 01:15 PM

I'm not sure if its still going on but the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha had a really good intereactive weather display up last month. They had a 360 degree camera that had been placed in a tornado, you stood inside a little area and it first person view of the tornado coming at you and then if you looked behind you, you could watch as it moved past...very cool. They had other things for Volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes etc....

**TykeClone** · 09-17-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by cstrunk

If you've got money for a neat and interesting vacation and a deathwish, there are storm chasing tours that you can book for the spring in the great plains. They can be a little pricey, but it would definitely be an awesome experience for a young kid interested in such things.

Fixed it

(Of course a cheaper way to go would be to become a spotter for your local community - you have to wait for the storms to come to you, but you do get to go out into scary weather)