Penn State Alumnus (‘67 B.S. Meteorology)

YMP is a free, interactive online game asking students  to follow the 21st-century National Weather Service Owl, OwlieSkywarn, on an adventure where they encounter hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, floods, winter storms, and hurricanes.  Along the way, players are taught about severe weather science and safety lessons.  Embedded into the game are test questions and activities which players must answer successfully in order to proceed.  Upon successful completion of the game, the student will earn the coveted Young Meteorologist certificate.  

Developed by the PLAN!T NOW (P!N) organization in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service, the American Meteorological Society and the National Education Association, the YMP offers a safe, nonthreatening

learning environment showing  kids what they need to do to prepare now to protect themselves and help their families when real severe weather strikes their community. The YMP also seeks to boost science, math, reading skills, and student achievement generally by awarding each successful game player a beautifully crafted, printable certificate upon the game's completion. Thus, YMP engages students with the weather sciences and encourages them by charting advancements through clear, measurable goals. The Young Meteorologist Program provides opportunities for students to put their newly acquired knowledge to work through launching community service projects, build a weather station, promote NOAA WeatherRadio and help build a more storm ready community.  The motto of YMP and the P!N is:   “Disaster Happens When Preparation Doesn’t.”