Palm trees blasted by winds over 100 mph during Hurricane Wilma.
Hurricane season is almost here and while South Floridians know all-to-well the impact of hurricanes, what about the science behind it? This weekend, Thursday May 28th through Saturday, May 30, 2015, The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum will explore Hurricanes and Other Hazards at a special event from 11am to 5pm. Kick off the start of hurricane season with engaging science activities and safety tips from the experts.
Visitors will gain access to the museum for FREE thanks to FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center, Miami-Dade County Emergency Management, and Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The series kicks off on Thursday with Science Up Close: Inside the Eye of the Storm at 6:30 p.m. Feel the Force kicks off with the fourth installment of the Museum’s popular Science Up Close event series, an evening of casual science conversations, with this edition featuring Dr. Frank D. Marks, Jr., Director, Hurricane Research Division, NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. The evening’s discussion will center around advances in the study and forecasting of hurricanes came about through scientific and technological improvements in our ability to observe different aspects of the storms using aircraft. Atmospheric scientists and disaster preparedness specialists will lead small group discussions following the presentation. Guests will enjoy music by the Frost School of Music along with complimentary beverages by Wynwood Brewing Company. Admission is free to the public but RVSP is required at http://bit.ly/ScienceUpCloseHurricane.
Then on Saturday, the Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm. The day’s festivities inlude:
Meet the mascot Owlie from NOAA’s Young Meteorologist Program and see if you have what it takes to be a Meteorologist; provided by PLAN!T NOW.
Be a TV meteorologist in the Hurricane Broadcast Center; provided by Miami Dade College.
Interact with Professor Tinkermeister for a wave of entertainment and exciting weather science courtesy of Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Meet and greet with real Hurricane Hunters and discover the adventure of flying through a hurricane.
Challenge yourself to outsmart the experts, including Curt Sommerhoff of Miami-Dade County Emergency Management, Max Mayfield of WPLG Local 10 ABC News, and Carlos Castillo of American Red Cross.
Build a house and see if it can stand up against Category 5 winds at FIU’s mini Wall of Wind (WOW)exhibit and then chat with the wind engineers behind WOW.
Explore how forecasts are made and learn what is expected for this year’s hurricane season at Tropical Weather Briefings with experts from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.
Learn how to be prepared for any disaster, including hurricane evacuation zones, with Miami-Dade County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.
Become part of the story with an interactive, disaster-themed storytime featuring characters from Miami-Dade Public Library.
Learn what to put in your handy hurricane folder with City National Bank as they show you which important documents shouldn’t get blown away.
Get ready for summer and hurricane season with rip current, water, and hurricane safety tips with Miami-Dade County Ocean Rescue Bureau and the American Red Cross.
Limited parking available at the museum; additional complimentary parking will be available at La Salle High School (3601 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL, 33129). Shuttle service will be available from La Salle to the Museum.
Follow along the conversation on social media using hashtag #FrostHurricane.