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National Weather Service Lake Charles participates in JASON at Lamar University
 
(Late January/Early February 2008)

Employees of the National Weather Service in Lake Charles participated in the JASON project held at Lamar University. Over the span of two and a half weeks, nearly 9600 Southeast Texas 5th - 8th middle school students attended this function to learn more about this year's project, Operation:  Monster Storms.  NWS Lake Charles personnel participated by demonstrating various weather experiments such as the upper air balloon and radiosonde, cold and warm air (pressure) displacement, and even generating a real miniature hurricane within a box!

Meteorologist-in-Charge Andy Patrick thanks the following employees (with days of participation) for their help and participation in this two and a half week event: Jonathan Brazzell (10),  Todd Mogged (4), Donovan Landreneau (3), James Raley (3), Joe Rua (2), Erin Snavely (2), Rob Chobin (1), Felix Navejar (1), Jim Sweeney (1), and John Trares (1).

JASON is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, JASON connects young students with great explorers and great events to inspire and motivate them to learn science. Its core curriculum units are designed for 5th to 8th grade classrooms but are flexible enough to be adapted for higher or lower grades.  Click here to learn more about the JASON project.

The following are snapshots of NWS Lake Charles personnel participating in this year's JASON project.
 

Donovan Landreneau & Joe Rua before the students arrive. JASON students eagerly watch experiments! Jonathan Brazzell & John Trares setting up Cold and Warm Water Experiment.
Jonathan Brazzell explains Cold and Warm Water Experiment. Jonathan Brazzell explains Cold and Warm Water Experiment. Jonathan Brazzell explains Cold and Warm Water Experiment.
Cold and Warm Water Experiment (Close-up #1). Cold and Warm Water Experiment (Close-up #2). Cold and Warm Water Experiment (Close-up #3).
Air pressure (aka Balloon & Bottle) Experiment. Air pressure (aka Balloon & Bottle) Experiment. Todd Mogged explains about the radiosonde and upper air balloon.
Donovan Landreneau explains the Hurricane Generator Experiment. Donovan Landreneau explains the Hurricane Generator Experiment. Donovan Landreneau explains the Hurricane Generator Experiment.
Donovan Landreneau's Hurricane Generator - Circulation Starting! Donovan Landreneau's Hurricane Generator - Full Blown Hurricane!
Click a picture to enlarge.

 
Click below for short videos of weather experiments
performed by NWS Personnel
(Windows Media Format)
Cold and Warm Water Experiment Hurricane Generator Experiment