Storm Chasing Education Network...

[Matthew K. Hartman]

Shane, Darren...

I understand completely where you both are coming from and don't argue the fact that getting out there in the field as being the ultimate learning tool.

The fact is, however, that there really isn't a great interactivity between the seasoned chasers and the newer, younger crowd. At least, not a constructive interactivity. I'd really like to see some sort of network where this would be possible.

Obviously, there are a lot of people out there that just want to get out, chase the parameters and follow the DOWs. They'll see their fair share of storms, doing just that. I don't see how fulfilling that is, honestly (myself, I prefer to base my chasing experiences on my forecasts and analysis of morning data), but I'm sure there are many newer chasers that would want to do that, but just don't know how.

Sure, reading words on a screen or in a book isn't necessarily the best tool for training, but if you can use that with a combination of training modules, tutorials, and a dialogue, I could see that to be a beneficial thing.

We just need veteran, seasoned chasers willing to contribute. That's the biggest obstacle at this point. We haven't had much interest from that crowd yet and because of that, this venture may be a lost cause.

 

[Rob H]

I have to agree with Shane and Darren - even though I am fairly new to chasing, and something like this would likely save me time learning the book-friendly aspects of chasing.

This is a "hobby" that should be taken very seriously, and shortcuts can be dangerous. I don't want to second guess myself when my life, and others' lives, are on the line. The knowledge required to forecast and stay safe is a barrier to chasing, but rather than seeing it as a hindrance, I see it as a very important weeding-out mechanism. Its the difference between rote memorization and truly knowing the subject matter.

Shane is very much correct in saying that there is a ton of information out there for you to seek out and synthesize. I've spent the last year treating my off-season learning as I would a rigorous program at college. Whether via IM, PM, or forum posts, I've never had a veteran that wasn't willing to share their knowledge with me.

 

[Shane Adams]

I think Robert's last comment above makes a great point: there is interaction between veteran or "established" chasers and newbie ones....but it's a casual, intimate, spontaneous kinda thing. I don't think you can force it. Just letting "nature take its course" IMO is the best thing to do. Lots of established or veteran chasers are willing to share knowledge/answer questions, but they prefer it to happen in normal conversations...they don't wish to be "corralled" and expected to teach a class. This might not be the large-scale, efficient solution some of you are desiring, but it is basically what this thread is about.

I just don't think you can put chaser interaction/tutoring/mentoring in a box and package it....it just has to grow at its own pace, where ever it spouts, and blossom from there.

 

[David Drummond]

I've always been one to help educate where I can, but I will be honest and tell you something I have really ran in to a lot more over the past couple seasons that turns me off to the concept of mentoring, and that is attitude.

More and more, for some reason, I run into the attitude (mostly from the younger folks) that they know all there is to know, and years of experience I can pass down means nothing to them. This seems to be especially true after they have seen their first tornado, they seem to all of a sudden know everything there is to know about forecasting, storm chasing and life in general.

25 years this season, and I STILL learn something just about every chase. I guess I am just slow.

 

[Matthew K. Hartman]

I can see now, folks, that this is all subjective and can agree with most of you that even if I (or we) went ahead with this project that it would even be used on a consistent basis.

The off-season has given me some perspective and, to some extent, I was getting bored. I thought I'd try to do some good and put together something unique and when a friend of mine (who has been chasing for some time, but hasn't as often) came to me for help and an explanation on some things, we both thought having something like this could be a beneficial thing.

So, thinking about this further, I'm going to throw the project on the coals.

Honestly, with me moving on to a new position at work and very recently learning that travel will be needed, I'm not so sure if I would be able to invest 100% into heading up the site.

Further discuss if you would like, but I'm considering the project null as of this point.

Thanks for the input though, guys. I appreciate your opinions and feedback, as well.

Maybe sometime in the future, I'll come up with something different I can offer the chaser community.

 

[Rob H]

Don't give up on an idea just because some people don't agree with you on the value provided. Obviously, you and your friend (and others) found value in this idea. Setup a simple web server, install something like MediaWiki, and just make whatever you find useful to yourself. You don't have to spend a lot of time; just plant the seed. You'll learn quite a bit in the process, and it could very easily turn into something useful to the chaser community.

If someone persuaded Tim Vasquez not to write the 'Storm Chasing Handbook' because it collected years of knowledge and made it easy to absorb, I would be upset at losing the chance to read it.

 

[joel ewing]

Matt, maybe I'm being assumptive here, but it seems to me that you have a real need to set yourself up to be a mentor to somebody. In this world...not necessarily a bad thing. But I would take a hard look at that....and where your motivations come from. What inside you is getting "stroked", as they say....for putting yourself in this position. Why do you feel there should be some kind of "interface" between some of the people in here who may consider themselves on a higher level....with respect to this subject....than others?
Just a thought...and meant with complete respect?

 

[joel ewing]

Oops....didn't mean to utilize a ?? at the end of my last sentence. Thanks...Joel