Subaru Science in the Mountains: A Passport to Science

This summer, visit our Weather Discovery Center and let us take you to scientific destinations far and wide! Using videoconferencing technology, we'll connect you with interesting people doing interesting work in a number of scientific fields.

For six weeks, every Wednesday at 7 PM, beginning July 16, we'll visit Alaska SeaLife Center, Space Center Houston, University of Rhode Island to talk to Dr. Isaac Ginis, South Pole, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Seacoast Science Center.

Admission is free!

Presented with support from Subaru and NH Charitable Foundation - North Country Region

For more information please contact Outreach Coordinator, Michelle Cruz, at (800) 706-0432 ext. 225

Alaska SeaLife Center – July 16, 7 PM

The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. Join Jim Pfeiffenberger, an educator and Park Ranger who has lived and worked in Alaska since 1990, as he presents the Laboratory of Ice: Glaciers and Science at Kenai Fjords National Park. Get to know the fascinating and stunningly beautiful Harding Icefield and it's associated glaciers, and learn what kind of research scientists have been conducting in the last twenty years here to further our understanding or glacier dynamics and climate change.

Space Center Houston – July 23, 7 PM

The Official Visitors Center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Established as the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in 1961, the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) named in honor of the late President, is responsible for the design, development, and operation of human space flight. For more than three decades, JSC has been the world leader in human space flight operations for NASA. Our visitors will take a trip back in time to the beginning of space exploration.

Isaac Ginis, Professor of Oceanography – July 30, 7 PM

Isaac Ginis has been leading the effort toward improvements of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/URI coupled hurricane model for the NWS. He has been involved in the development of the next generation of the Weather Research and Forecast model for hurricane application at the NWS and was named "2002 Environmental Hero" by NOAA in recognition of his contributions in the field of hurricane forecast research. Dr. Ginis will present a general overview about hurricanes, tools used at the NHC, emphasize the use of hurrican models and how to improve forecast skills.

Some useful web links provided by Dr. Ginis are:

National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Hurricane FAQ page http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqHED.html
Tornado FAQ page http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/index.html
The Weather Underground (with a link to hurricane computer models) http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
Unisys tropical weather site (for current and historic hurricane info) http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/

Lance Roth, Meteorologist located in Antarctica – August 6, 7 PM

Mr. Roth is a Meteorologist/Science Technician at the South Pole. Although Mr. Roth's primary job is being a weather observer, who collects data (does not analyze), he will also talk to us about three projects that he is maintaining, which focus on the Aurora Australis.

Baseball Hall of Fame – August 13, 7 PM

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an independent, non-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our national pastime. What do the red stitches on a baseball have to do with aerodynamics? Why do some hitters choke up at the bat? Why do some players wear batting gloves? Why is every hit not a home run? These questions and more will be answered when the educators of the Baseball Hall of Fame inform us about the science of the sandlot.

Seacoast Science Center – August 20, 7 PM

The Seacoast Science Center, located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH is popular destination for families and students to learn about coastal environmental history. Connect with the SSC for a one hour multi-media program. You will learn about the rocky shore and NH's coast as you observe live animals. An underwater camera will give you a unique opportunity to view animals moving and feeding in their natural habitat. Fun classification activities will compliment in-depth lessons on coastal critters. You won't want to miss this virtual excursion to the shore.

P. O. Box 2310, North Conway, NH 03860 • Tel: 603-356-2137 • Fax: 603-356-0307 • email