🌦️ Weather Hunters Day Delivers Big Fun, Big Learning at the National Weather Center
OETA’s Weather Hunters event was a storm of success, drawing over 170 families, students, and curious minds to the National Weather Center in Norman! The fun-filled day was packed with science-themed activities, hands-on experiments, and opportunities for kids to meet real meteorologists and learn how weather shapes the world around us.
Held in celebration of Weather Hunters, the new PBS KIDS series from Emmy-winning weatherman Al Roker, the event gave families a sneak peek into the show and a chance to explore the science behind clouds, wind, storms, and more. The animated series follows Lily Hunter and her family of weather explorers as they uncover fascinating weather phenomena and share practical tips for staying safe and curious.
Premiering September 8 on OETA, Weather Hunters is designed for K–2 audiences and aims to build science skills, spark questions, and help kids see themselves as scientists.
👏 A Huge Thank You to Our Partners!
This event would not have been possible without the amazing support of our community partners. Each one brought interactive, creative, and educational activities that made the day extra special.
🌀 OU SCAN – Weather Friends
The OU Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association introduced kids to their original Weather Friends, a team of local weather superheroes, each representing a different type of severe weather. From tornadoes to winter storms, the Weather Friends helped kids (and parents!) learn how to stay safe in a fun, engaging way. Their costumes, energy, and science smarts made them a huge hit with attendees.
☔ Oklahoma Mesonet
The Oklahoma Mesonet brought science to life with real-world weather tools and experiments. Kids explored 3D-printed rainfall maps and hailstones, learned about rainfall patterns, weather instruments, and how to identify weather features on maps. It was a hands-on experience that made abstract concepts tangible, and sparked plenty of “wow” moments.
🌡️ SC CASC – Urban Heat Exploration
The South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center led an activity that helped participants explore the concept of urban heat. Through real materials and experiments, families learned how different surfaces absorb heat and how that affects local temperatures. Even better, they explored solutions to slow the effects of urban heat, such as using reflective materials and planting more trees. It was climate science made kid-friendly, and actionable.
🌪️ CIRWO – Research Meets Real Life
The Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations brought weather science to life with hands-on activities like creating mini tornadoes, exploring static electricity with a Van de Graaff generator, and identifying cloud types, helping families connect scientific concepts to real-world safety.
✂️ Download the Fun and Keep Exploring!
Couldn’t attend the event? No problem! You can still enjoy Weather Hunters at home with our bilingual weather activity kits available in both English and Spanish.
Design a Pinwheel
📄Download in English | 📄 Descargar en español
Observing Clouds
📄 Download in English | 📄 Descargar en español
Storytelling Puppets
📄 Download in English | 📄 Descargar en español
And don’t forget to check out more weather-themed games, videos, and lesson plans here:
🌐 PBS LearningMedia: Weather Collection
📺 Tune In For The TV Premiere!
Mark your calendars! Weather Hunters premieres September 8 on OETA and PBS KIDS. Tune in to follow Lily, her family, and their lovable pet turtle, Spinny, as they explore the science of storms, sunshine, and everything in between. Look for the new game launch the same day at PBS KIDS Games.
📍 Plan to Attend the National Weather Festival!
If you missed our event, there’s another fun chance to connect with science and weather in person!
National Weather Festival
Saturday, November 1st, 2025 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
National Weather Center | Norman, OK
This free, family-friendly event includes hands-on weather activities, storm-chasing vehicles, science experiments, and meet-and-greets with meteorologists and scientists from around the country, including friends from OETA!
We are so grateful to the National Weather Center, our incredible partners, and every Oklahoma family who joined us. Events like these show just how much learning can happen when science, storytelling, and community come together.
Stay tuned for more family events and OETA Education updates at OETA.tv, and follow us on social media @OETA for more weather wonders and learning fun.