UNI's Science Center for Teaching, Outreach and Research on Meteorology (STORM) relates weather information to people in agriculture, industry, education and government agencies. "The funding would help Project STORM continue to develop programs that help non-meteorologists learn about weather systems and their impact on everyday decisions," Grassley said.
Officials at Project STORM are currently developing a training program to help emergency officials respond to disasters involving hazardous substances using meteorology and weather patterns. "After September 11, we have a heightened appreciation for emergency personnel and community preparedness," Grassley said. "This program will help responders learn how to track potentially hazardous vapors released into the atmosphere. These vapors could be from a train derailment, an overturned semi carrying chemicals, or terrorist activities."
Other programs at Project STORM include development of weather-related curriculum for elementary and secondary school classrooms; summer courses in weather forecasting and remote sensing; and software that provides meteorological information for decisions related to agriculture and open burning.
"Iowa's diverse weather systems and large agricultural industry make it necessary for us to better understand the relationship of weather to environmental practices," Grassley said. "The center will help improve our understanding of this relationship and provide key learning experiences for Iowa students studying meteorology and related fields."
Grassley has secured more than $1.8 million for Project STORM over the past three years. The project is a cooperative program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and UNI.
Grassley's letter was sent to Sens. Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, who as chairman and ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, State, Justice and the Judiciary are responsible for drafting the federal government's spending plan for projects related to those agencies in the next fiscal year. The appropriations process begins each spring and is typically completed at the end of each congressional session.