Stacey Fleenor, co-sponsored by the Department of Arid Lands Sciences

The physical sciences have typically been underrepresented in 4-H programs. Since 4-H focuses on hands-on activities outside of the classroom, it offers a great opportunity for science experiences for youth. In Pima County, very few youth enroll in physical science projects. Therefore, my outreach project aims to increase knowledge about and participation in atmospheric science activities among 4-H youth and leaders in order that they develop a clearer understanding of how weather relates to their everyday lives and/or career possibilities.

I am putting together presentations and activities for individual club meetings and also a meteorology field day for the Davis Monthan Air Force Base after-school program. These presentations will demonstrate weather phenomena through simple projects and also give leader's ideas of future project ideas they can do with their club. The information and activities that were developed for these activities will then be made into a 4-H leader's guide that will be accessible at the University of Arizona extension office for leaders to reference in the future.

Another important aspect of my project is to hold a weather photography workshop. Through this workshop youth will be able to improve their photography skills by understanding the effects weather can have on photos and also develop a greater awareness of clouds and other atmospheric conditions. The workshop will teach youth techniques for photographing lightning and other weather phenomena and will address how atmospheric conditions affect picture and image quality.