Component Approximate Cost

Display cabinet $1750

50” wide LCD monitor $2500

Touch-screen monitor $1200

Interactive web browser $200

Instrumented tower $250

High-impact mouse $250

Additional components $1500

Total $8000-$9000*NOTE: many of the pieces (PCs, tower, bike, weather instruments, etc.) were salvaged at virtually no expense to the office

The National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Lubbock, Texas is co-located with the Science Spectrum, a popular non-profit museum for science education. The Science Spectrum serves over 150,000 persons annually at the museum facility. Teachers, students, families and individual visitors come to the museum from a large region of West Texas and eastern New Mexico for hands-on science activities, film (Omni Theater), live presentations and exhibitions. This arrangement presented an excellent opportunity for WFO Lubbock office to promote the science of weather and reach thousands of visitors daily, thereby increase the visibility of the NWS.

In 2004, WFO Lubbock formed a team to design and construct a professional, INTERACTIVE weather information display. The goal was to both educate and entertain children and adults alike, with an emphasis on severe weather preparedness information. Through close partnership with Science Spectrum management, the display was given a prominent location within the museum. The team designed, constructed and deployed the display during the winter, spring and summer of 2004.

This poster summarizes the construction and development, educational features, and future expansion plans of the display.

AABSTRACT / INTRODUCTIONBSTRACT / INTRODUCTION

Several early drawings of the display. These schematics were created after a brainstorming session by individuals interested in participating in the project’s development

INITIAL DEVELOPMENTINITIAL DEVELOPMENT

This is the completed exhibit - located in the Science Spectrum museum This is the completed exhibit - located in the Science Spectrum museum Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

EXPANSION IDEASEXPANSION IDEAS

We would like to add additional interactive components to the display. Discussions have included:

•tornado simulator- where users can envision what factors come together to produce a tornado•weather map production studio - where kids and adults alike can produce their own weather maps•virtual instrument lab - where anyone can experiment with the equation of state

We would like to add additional interactive components to the display. Discussions have included:

•tornado simulator- where users can envision what factors come together to produce a tornado•weather map production studio - where kids and adults alike can produce their own weather maps•virtual instrument lab - where anyone can experiment with the equation of state

LCD MONITORLCD MONITOR

• 50 inch-wide LCD Monitor – anchors 50 inch-wide LCD Monitor – anchors the entire displaythe entire display

• Continuously cycling Continuously cycling short presentationshort presentation

•Weather phenomena – satellite and Weather phenomena – satellite and radar loopsradar loops

•Forecasting techniquesForecasting techniques

• Local eventsLocal events

•Tornado that hit Happy, TX Tornado that hit Happy, TX on 5 May 2002on 5 May 2002

• National eventsNational events

•Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina

• Educational TopicsEducational Topics

•LightningLightning

•Flash floodsFlash floods

•Weather safetyWeather safety

TOUCH-SCREENTOUCH-SCREEN

• Organized like a website (using html)Organized like a website (using html)

• Can select from a wide variety of topics, such as:Can select from a wide variety of topics, such as:

•In depth F-scale discussion/explanationIn depth F-scale discussion/explanation

•A Local copy of the NWS “Jetstream” A Local copy of the NWS “Jetstream” educational website educational website

•Weather jokesWeather jokes

•Weather quiz (with “easy” and “hard” versions)Weather quiz (with “easy” and “hard” versions)

INTERACTIVE WEB DISPLAYINTERACTIVE WEB DISPLAY• Critical interactive component to the display which employs a rugged, Critical interactive component to the display which employs a rugged, industrial touchpad in lieu of a mouse industrial touchpad in lieu of a mouse

• Allows users access to a large variety of weather-related websites Allows users access to a large variety of weather-related websites (educational and governmental) using a live internet connection (educational and governmental) using a live internet connection

•Several web pages were developed to navigate to a number of select Several web pages were developed to navigate to a number of select topics including: topics including:

•Local NWS Lubbock HomepageLocal NWS Lubbock Homepage

•Radar page - featuring local and national linksRadar page - featuring local and national links

•Satellite page – covering the whole globe and various regionsSatellite page – covering the whole globe and various regions

•Surface maps – a wide variety from local to internationalSurface maps – a wide variety from local to international

•Storms page - highlighting thunderstorms, hurricanes, dust storms,Storms page - highlighting thunderstorms, hurricanes, dust storms, and much more and much more

•Other cool links page – a variety of miscellaneous interesting and Other cool links page – a variety of miscellaneous interesting and educational sites from around the world educational sites from around the world

• For security purposes, user is limited to .edu and .gov domains (with aFor security purposes, user is limited to .edu and .gov domains (with a few exceptions) utilizing Microsoft Windows security settings few exceptions) utilizing Microsoft Windows security settings

INSTRUMENTED TOWERINSTRUMENTED TOWER• 7-ft tower with three-cup and vane anemometer 7-ft tower with three-cup and vane anemometer and flanking tower lights and flanking tower lights

• DC fan (powered by generator that runs off of DC fan (powered by generator that runs off of energy supplied by operator of bicycle) propels energy supplied by operator of bicycle) propels anemometer, with output speed proportional to anemometer, with output speed proportional to input pedal power input pedal power

• Wind speed and direction indicators display Wind speed and direction indicators display operator effort (in knots), allowing for fun, yet operator effort (in knots), allowing for fun, yet fair competition and learning fair competition and learning

• Signage explains units and unit conversion, withSignage explains units and unit conversion, with an introduction to the Beaufort Scale an introduction to the Beaufort Scale

NOAA WEATHER RADIO DISPLAYNOAA WEATHER RADIO DISPLAY• Exposes guests to any one of the live NOAA All-hazards radioExposes guests to any one of the live NOAA All-hazards radio broadcasts originating from the NWS Lubbock office, including: broadcasts originating from the NWS Lubbock office, including:

•Impending hazards (watches, warnings, and advisories)Impending hazards (watches, warnings, and advisories)

•Routine weather observationsRoutine weather observations

•Forecasts, climate and select non-weather hazardsForecasts, climate and select non-weather hazards

• User selects weather broadcast of interest by pushing theUser selects weather broadcast of interest by pushing the appropriate button and while the button is depressed: appropriate button and while the button is depressed:

•The audio broadcast for that transmitter playsThe audio broadcast for that transmitter plays

•A light illuminates displaying the approximate location of theA light illuminates displaying the approximate location of the transmitter and transmitter coverage on a regional map transmitter and transmitter coverage on a regional map

• Explains how and where to obtain a NOAA All-hazards radioExplains how and where to obtain a NOAA All-hazards radio

• Display housed in a refurbished Automation of Field OperationsDisplay housed in a refurbished Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) computer housing and Services (AFOS) computer housing

ADDITIONAL POSTERS/SIGNAGEADDITIONAL POSTERS/SIGNAGE• One poster, located to the left of the LCD monitor, provides a One poster, located to the left of the LCD monitor, provides a short history of the:short history of the:

•NWS Lubbock office NWS Lubbock office

•Co-operative observer programCo-operative observer program

• Another poster, to the right of the LCD monitor:Another poster, to the right of the LCD monitor:

•Displays the geographic region the NWS Lubbock servesDisplays the geographic region the NWS Lubbock serves

•Gives a brief introduction to some of the most important and Gives a brief introduction to some of the most important and popular products and forecasts the office producespopular products and forecasts the office produces

• A third poster, located to the right of the wind readout :A third poster, located to the right of the wind readout :

•Shows a schematic of an NWS Automated Observing System Shows a schematic of an NWS Automated Observing System (ASOS) and explains all the different components(ASOS) and explains all the different components

MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEPMAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP• Little day-to-day maintenance is requiredLittle day-to-day maintenance is required

• Display is checked twice daily to:Display is checked twice daily to:

•Ensure everything is functioning properlyEnsure everything is functioning properly

•Power large LCD monitor off when the Science Spectrum is Power large LCD monitor off when the Science Spectrum is closed to prolong its lifespanclosed to prolong its lifespan

•The two PCs that run the Interactive Web Display and Touch-The two PCs that run the Interactive Web Display and Touch-Screen must occasionally be rebooted if there has been a Screen must occasionally be rebooted if there has been a temporary power or internet outage (access is gained through temporary power or internet outage (access is gained through doors on the back of the display cabinet)doors on the back of the display cabinet)

◄◄To the left is a To the left is a view of the back view of the back side of the display side of the display cabinetcabinet

To the right To the right ► ► is an example of is an example of one of the many one of the many access points to access points to the equipment the equipment within the cabinetwithin the cabinet

To the left is the view from the front of the Science Spectrum. The Science Spectrum(www.sciencespectrum.com) contains a flight museum and OMNI theater among its attractions and exhibits. It also :• Hosts 150,000 persons annually• Attracts visitors from a large region of West Texas and eastern New Mexico• Puts on many different educational shows throughout the year, further attracting return visitors

THE SCIENCE SPECTRUMTHE SCIENCE SPECTRUM

CRAFTING AN ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE WEATHER CRAFTING AN ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE WEATHER DISPLAY AT THE LUBBOCK SCIENCE SPECTRUMDISPLAY AT THE LUBBOCK SCIENCE SPECTRUM

Larry Vannozzi, Larry Vannozzi, National Weather Service, Nashville TNNational Weather Service, Nashville TN

Mark Conder, Steve Cobb, Carl Hill, Brian Lamarre, Gary Skwira, and Justin Weaver, Mark Conder, Steve Cobb, Carl Hill, Brian Lamarre, Gary Skwira, and Justin Weaver, National Weather Service, Lubbock TXNational Weather Service, Lubbock TXEd Calianese, Ed Calianese, National Weather Service, Tulsa OKNational Weather Service, Tulsa OK

John Hickman, John Hickman, National Weather Service, Hastings NENational Weather Service, Hastings NE

COMPONENTS OVERVIEWCOMPONENTS OVERVIEW

1. Large LCD Monitor – centerpiece1. Large LCD Monitor – centerpiece

2. Touch-screen Monitor2. Touch-screen Monitor

3. Interactive Web Browser3. Interactive Web Browser

4. Instrumented Tower4. Instrumented Tower

5. NOAA Weather Radio Display5. NOAA Weather Radio Display

6. Additional Posters/Signage6. Additional Posters/Signage

INTERACTIVE

KEEPING THE EXHIBIT UP-TO-DATEKEEPING THE EXHIBIT UP-TO-DATE

In order to keep the exhibit engaging and maintain interest with repeat visitors presentation material should be periodically updated with timely and popular weather subjects. An example might be the addition of an introduction to the ENSO cycle and links to current information. The weather jokes and weather quiz section of the touch screen display are two components particularly sensitive to growing stale for repeat visitors and will benefit from revision. In addition, the nature of the internet requires that website links be frequently checked and updated as necessary. The NOAA weather radio display will also be updated as new transmitters come online.

In order to keep the exhibit engaging and maintain interest with repeat visitors presentation material should be periodically updated with timely and popular weather subjects. An example might be the addition of an introduction to the ENSO cycle and links to current information. The weather jokes and weather quiz section of the touch screen display are two components particularly sensitive to growing stale for repeat visitors and will benefit from revision. In addition, the nature of the internet requires that website links be frequently checked and updated as necessary. The NOAA weather radio display will also be updated as new transmitters come online.