Celebrate Earth Day with a Fresh, New “Family Night” about Weather and Climate

Families will learn about these two important fields and put new knowledge to work with accessible, engaging activities

• Christina Zeiders
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Christina Zeiders is the Communications Specialist at WITF. She helps get the word out about all of WITF's programs, events and community conversations.

During Family Night: Weather and Climate, kindergarteners through fifth graders and their families will learn about weather and climate and why these fields are essential.

Families will hear from people who have jobs related to weather and climate, and kids will have the opportunity to put what they learn to work with accessible, hands-on activities that don’t require special tools or supplies.

The night’s special guests will talk about their careers and discuss the difference between weather and climate.

• Marisa Ferger, a meteorologist at Penn State University, will talk about the different careers and industries that you might not realize rely on the work of meteorologists. She will also share some of the changes happening to the earth’s climate.
• Andy DeBrunner, communications manager for Roundtop Mountain Resort, will talk about the people who make snow for ski resorts and the skills and education needed for such a job.
• Brianna Amingwa, environmental education supervisor at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, leads school tours for nature. She’ll explain how weather and animals – especially invasive species – are connected and how to become a ranger.
• Brian Cizek, meteorologist and launch weather officer for the 45^th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral, works for the U.S. Space Force. He’ll share how meteorologists keep rockets and astronauts safe before, during and after launches, as well as when they return to earth.
• Daniel Vecellio, a post-doctoral fellow in the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State University, will discuss the warming environment and the connection between climate, environment and people – specifically his research into how much heat people can withstand while doing different activities.
• Erika Podest, a climate scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, uses satellite images to study the earth’s ecosystems and figure out how the warmer weather affects growing seasons.

Watch the broadcast premiere of Family Night: Weather and Climate Friday, April 22 at 7pm on WITF TV. Set a reminder or add it to your calendar here.

Families can also stream the program on-demand through the free PBS Video app or at video.witf.org, or catch the replay on WITF TV Sunday, May 1 at 8am.

Family Night: Weather and Climate is supported by Agora Cyber Charter School.