Howard University's NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) hosts annual summer weather camps for rising high school juniors and seniors. These weather camps are supported by funds from the NOAA Educational Partnership Program for Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) and various other partners (including Noblis, How the Weatherworks and various Federal agencies). Camps are routinely sponsored in Washington, DC; Mayaguez, PR; and Jackson, MS. Plans for additional camps and partnerships in other locations are under development.
The goals of these weather camps are:
Students are engaged in hands-on activities, field experiments, seminars, tours of research and operational facilities, and workshops that expand their knowledge of atmospheric sciences, including weather and forecast models, environmental instrumentation and the socio-economic and political linkages to weather. Students will also learn team-building skills, enhance their communication skills, participate in a weather forecasting contest and gain college experience through their stay in a university setting.
- To provide broad exposure and training for local high school students in weather forecasting, environmental modeling, and scientific measurements
- To encourage bright, underrepresented students to consider science and engineering careers through first-hand exposure to educational and career opportunities in atmospheric sciences
- To increase the overall talent pipeline of students pursuing studies in science and engineering in college