Environmental Science faculty member Tiffani Wilke recently attended the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Conference in Houston. Joined by our trusty mascot, Swoop, Tiffani navigated the latest in atmospheric research while ensuring our favorite hawk owl got a front-row seat to the action. Read on for her personal reflections on the highlights, takeaways, and insights from this premier industry gathering.
What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?
American Meteorological Society Conference (AMS)
When and where did the event take place?
January 25th-29th in Houston, Texas
Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event.
The most memorable talk was from Dr. Roger Wakimoto. He was a student under Dr. Ted Fujita, who was the pioneer of tornado damage and rating research. Dr. Wakimoto started the talk by saying he was glad Ted was no longer with us because he would have been pretty upset at him. Dr. Wakimoto went on to show his new research that disproved Dr. Fujita’s idea that spiraled tornado damage paths were the result of multiple vortex tornadoes. Research now shows that these spiral paths can occur even in tornadoes that do not have multiple vortex structures. The data suggests that these spiral damage paths may be due to intense inflow winds that are spiraling into the tornado at low levels. More research is needed now to determine what role the multiple vortices that occur in some tornadoes actually have. I came out of this talk and thought to myself…”Well I need to change information in my tornado lessons now.” Such is the way with my field. We are learning so much, so quickly that change is the only thing that stays the same some times.
How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague?
Very Likely
Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future?
The new information on tornado damage from Dr. Wakimoto and the new term of a Sou’easter will be immediately put into my lessons this semester. At the education conference I learned a few hand movement techniques that will be quite beneficial to my students to understand atmospheric motions. In addition to these, I learned about new sensors that I may buy in the next couple of years to enhance my student’s learning. I also fostered relationships with professors at other colleges/universities and meteorological professionals at various weather institutions across the country that could lead to collaborations with our college.
Is there anything else you’d like CIE or your colleagues at NMC to know about this experience?
Swoop and I had a wonderful time learning new content and making new friends. Swoop chatted with fellow TC residents RM Young, a well respected weather instrument company, and met a fellow mascot, Celsius Bear which is AMS Education’s mascot (@AMSEducation)