OU to host U.S.-China meteorology symposium

For the first time ever, preeminent scientists in the field of meteorology from the United States and China will gather at the University of Oklahoma this month to define the state of knowledge of the two countries in the areas of mesoscale meteorology and data assimilation and identify challenges in those areas for the next decade.

The "First U.S.-China Symposium on Meteorology -- Mesoscale Meteorology and Data Assimilation" is sponsored by OU's Office of the President, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Natural Science Foundation of China and co-sponsored by the American Meteorological Society. It will be Feb. 26 through 28 at the National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., on OU's Research Campus.

Representatives of private-sector companies whose business is related to weather as well as members of the public also can register for the symposium.

"Because of the rapid development of China and the need for the United States to partner with other nations, the symposium is a first step in bringing the two countries closer together in the important area of mesoscale meteorology," said Peter J. Lamb, OU George Lynn Cross Research Professor of Meteorology, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies and co-chairman, with OU Meteorology Professor Lance Leslie, of the U.S. Scientific Steering Committee for the symposium.

"While meteorology in China has excelled in the past half-century, the specific area of mesoscale meteorology is less developed there than in the United States," Lamb noted. "Because of the danger to life and property, mesoscale meteorology has advanced greatly in the United States, and now China increasingly is realizing the importance of this area, partly as a result of some recent disasters."

The symposium will feature keynote addresses by top U.S. and Chinese meteorological academicians and scientists.

A second U.S.-China Symposium on Meteorology, focusing on regional climate variability, is being planned for 2010 or 2011 in Beijing, China.

Registration is $275, or $225 for students with ID, and includes symposium documents, snacks, lunch each day, and a dinner on Wednesday. For details on the symposium and to register online, visit www.cimms.ou.edu.

For accommodations on the basis of disability, call Maggie McGowan at 325-7634. Inquiries also may be directed to Lamb at 325-3041 or plamb@ou.edu.

OU SPJ calls for scholarship applications

The University of Oklahoma chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites all high school students to participate in an essay contest for a chance to win a scholarship.

The top entry in the region will be sent to compete against other regions in the nation, and three winners will be chosen. First prize is a $1,000 scholarship, second prize is a $500 scholarship, and third prize is a $300 scholarship.

Students who enter must write a 300 to 500-word essay on the topic, "Why free news media are important." An entry form must also be downloaded from the SPJ Web site at http://www.spj.org/pdf/a-hs.pdf.