Scientific Mentors
Andrea Dawn Melvin
Program Manager, EarthStorm
Oklahoma Mesonet, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, University of Oklahoma
K-12 use of weather data and weather safety
Ms. Melvin graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1997 with her Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Meteorology. She was not interested in forecasting or research. Instead, Ms. Melvin had a strong desire to work with K-12 teachers and students in particular the use of software to visualize atmospheric phenomena. Her interest in weather began in elementary school after seeing the NOVA documentary on Dr. Howard Bluestein's TOTO experiments.
Ms. Melvin works for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey as the Program Manager for the EarthStorm program. Each day is a new adventure. A typical day involves working on many projects at once like preparing for workshops, organizing field trips to the National Weather Center, debugging software, visiting schools, giving tours of Mesonet stations, preparing web site materials, and answering emails from students and teachers.
Outside of work, Ms. Melvin spends time cheering her daughter during soccer games, crocheting gifts for friends, and researching family genealogy. After a long day at work, curling up with a good DVD or book helps her unwind.
