In 2011, a group of undergrad and graduate students in the
atmospheric sciences department formed a formal campus club.
Atmospheric sciences students at the School of Mines formed the SDSM&T Weather Association in the spring of 2011. The purpose of this organization is to encourage increased knowledge of and interest in atmospheric science and meteorological phenomenon among its members. The organization is committed to community involvement through outreach and education programs aimed at individuals of all ages. Further, the organization is aimed at unifying students with interests in the atmospheric and earth sciences through group activities.
The current president is Christopher (Chip) Redmond. Other officers are Daniel D'Amico, Vice President; Franny Sewell, Secretary; and Ciara Breen, Treasurer. Ciara is currently an undergraduate in Electrical Engineering, and Chip, Franny, and Dan are MS students in the Atmospheric Sciences program. Staff advisors are Darren Clabo and Pam Cox.
One of the first activities of the newly-formed group was to coordinate with the National Weather Service to present a Skywarn Storm Spotter Training event, held on campus March 30, 2011 and open to the public. Attendance was mixed between students with an atmospheric science background and those from outside the program as well as many community members. In total, nearly 50 people were in attendance. Afterwards, Susan Sanders, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist and Skywarn session leader expressed her astonishment with the SDSM&T interest and motivation of the group. "I was impressed with your group and the interest among other students (not just from the IAS)."
On April 20, 2012, the SDSM&T Weather Association, in coordination with the Black Hills Local Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, the South Dakota Climate Office, and the Brad Derby Agency - Farmers Insurance, presented Black Hills Tornadoes: Science and Survival. Over 50 people attended the series of lectures and safety briefings, from both the school and the local community.
The group has plans for more activities, and you may visit their website by using the following link: SDSM&T Association Club or on Facebook. Membership is free and is open to students and members of the public alike. With questions, contact Dan D'Amico at Daniel.Damico@mines.sdsmt.edu.
Most all of our students are members of the BHAMS group, the
local chapter of the American Meteorological Society. Members of
this group are from the National Weather Service, SDSM&T, and local
radio and TV stations. Visit their blogspot at
http://bhams1.blogspot.com/