The The KeanCastKeanCastKean UniversityKean UniversityMedia InitiativeMedia Initiative

Dr. Paul J. CroftDr. Paul J. CroftCathleen Londino, Scott McHugh, Doug Black,Cathleen Londino, Scott McHugh, Doug Black,

Steve Sosna, Shane Brown, Victoria SchemeliaSteve Sosna, Shane Brown, Victoria Schemelia

Importance of Media MeteorologyImportance of Media Meteorology• Preparation for students entering any Preparation for students entering any

meteorology career tracksmeteorology career tracks– Forecasting on a regular basis as catalyst for

student professional development; prediction, patterns, & observations

• Students from other departments also Students from other departments also creates cross-disciplinary outreach creates cross-disciplinary outreach – University & surrounding community

impacted by partnership of weather dependence and media outlets

• Variety of media outlets gives all students Variety of media outlets gives all students ability to work in different mediumsability to work in different mediums– Television, Radio, Internet, Publications; Gain

of practical skills and experience

KU – Television BroadcastingKU – Television Broadcasting• Television broadcasting the most Television broadcasting the most visually-basedvisually-based

• KeanCastKeanCast provides the student meteorologist the tools for provides the student meteorologist the tools for preparing and delivering a weather forecast/briefingpreparing and delivering a weather forecast/briefing

Students forecast for a seven day period Five minutes provided for Weather Segment includes

• Trends (Temperature, Precipitation, Records/Extremes)• Main Weather Story & Weather News (Local & Global)• Interactive/Outreach (Trivia, Sporting Events, Science Celebration Day)• Departmental “plugs” (Website, mobile device, FAQ, Epsilon Corps)• Seven day Outlook & Acknowledgements

Practice in Mechanical & Technical Skills• Powerpoint, WSI, Use of government website information• Timing, Overall Presentation; Communications; Teamwork/Coordination

KeanCast in action…KeanCast in action…• KeanCastKeanCast broadcasts broadcasts

have two segmentshave two segmentso WSI graphics engine for

weather forecastingo Donated equipment from

News12-NJo Students learn and use a

graphics system to generate show

o Peer mentoring as students assist one another in rendering of show

o Design Studio students at KU assist with graphics

Internet DeliveryInternet Delivery• KeanCastKeanCast available via world wide web available via world wide web

Provides easiest and most readily-used; effective and efficient; maximizes outreach to audience and students

Easy for the community to access (and respond) where Internet is available

• ContentContent includes the following includes the following Streaming forecasts (KeanCast broadcast,

special weather events, eventually promo’s) Public Service Announcements

Watches, warnings, hazards, safety, education

Detailed discussion of current and future weather; potential for documentary/similar

Web-Casting at KeanWeb-Casting at Kean Web Weather Discussions!Web Weather Discussions!

HTML, FTP, and JAVA applications HTML, FTP, and JAVA applications practiced through use of Web-castingpracticed through use of Web-casting

Students analyze & discuss NWP models, various instrumentation, radar/satellite imagery

Students articulate & develop communication skills for group and professional discussions

Use of essential computer platforms in meteorology

Students better prepare themselves with the technology found in the workplace

Radio BroadcastingRadio Broadcasting• Kean University’s Kean University’s FM radioFM radio station (WKNJ 90.3) students station (WKNJ 90.3) students

provide daily weather forecastsprovide daily weather forecasts

• Recorded dailyRecorded daily (midday) students deliver quick yet detailed (midday) students deliver quick yet detailed discussion of the current and short-term weatherdiscussion of the current and short-term weather

This is aired several times throughout the day giving all listeners the chance to catch the forecast

• An An easy tooleasy tool to get the weather to people on the go to get the weather to people on the go

• Students may “Students may “break-ins”break-ins” for severe weather as needed for severe weather as needed (including any “Special Reports”)(including any “Special Reports”)

• PSA’sPSA’s air during weather extremes such as heat, cold, air during weather extremes such as heat, cold, thunderstorms, flooding, and wintry conditionsthunderstorms, flooding, and wintry conditions

WKNJ 90.3 FM KeanCast Campus ForecastWKNJ 90.3 FM KeanCast Campus Forecast

The Future of KeanCastThe Future of KeanCast ExpandedExpanded Television Broadcasting Television Broadcasting

Increase frequency of broadcasts Collaborate with other Media & Film projects Special/Live reports as necessary

Increase InternetIncrease Internet Broadcasting Broadcasting Frequent updates and discussions Redesign of website for form and functionality More streaming video and audio forecasts PSAs, Special weather events, forecasts

EnhancedEnhanced Radio Broadcasting Radio Broadcasting Integrate sound bytes with Music Department Frequent and/or live updates Keancast Phone Hotline to answer questions from the community

DevelopmentDevelopment of Publications/Outreach of Publications/Outreach Contribute articles and discussions to local newspapers, others

Print Media & ForecastingPrint Media & Forecasting• KeanCast provides a straight-to-the-point forecast for KeanCast provides a straight-to-the-point forecast for

readers of the campus newspaper readers of the campus newspaper The Cougar’s ByteThe Cougar’s Byte• Presented in a seven day forecast panel• Appears in both periodical and online versions• Short PSA write-ups in newspaper

• PSA’s allow students to develop critical PSA’s allow students to develop critical technical writingtechnical writing & editing skills for career development& editing skills for career development

• Operational, Research, and Broadcast Meteorology; Private SectorOperational, Research, and Broadcast Meteorology; Private Sector• Students enhance communication skills with peers during complex Students enhance communication skills with peers during complex

weather phenomenaweather phenomena

Thanks!Thanks!

Department of Geology & MeteorologyDepartment of Geology & MeteorologyFaculty & Staff, Students (Majors & Non-Majors)Faculty & Staff, Students (Majors & Non-Majors)

Kean University Meteorology ProgramKean University Meteorology Program

Center for Earth System Education (KU)Center for Earth System Education (KU)Epsilon Corps Program (KU)Epsilon Corps Program (KU)

College of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences (KU)College of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences (KU)

Kean University Student Chapter AMS/NWAKean University Student Chapter AMS/NWA