Meet the Expert: Samantha Jacques, Meteorologist WZZM 13 On Your Side
Samantha Jacques is the Weekend Morning Meteorologist at 13 ON YOUR SIDE in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is a Michigan native, growing up in Shelby Twp, where she first discovered her unwavering passion for weather.
Samantha attended Central Michigan University to earn her Meteorology degree, where she was an involved member of the meteorology department, working as a teaching assistant for three years. Beyond her involvement at CMU, Samantha interned at WJBK Fox 2 Detroit and worked at News Central 34, CMU’s on-campus station, and as the mid-day Meteorologist for 9&10 News in Northern Michigan.
Sam’s undeniable desire to learn more about science and communicate the importance of STEM education drove her into Meteorology. Now she hopes to use her platform to spark a passion for the atmosphere and our environment in kids and, most importantly, inspire young girls to join the STEM field. She spends her spare time with family, admiring nature, doing yoga, and, of course, playing with her pup Leo. Her loyalty forever resides with Central Michigan University, so, Fire Up Chips!
See Samantha IN ACTION — giving a weather report
Want to learn more about how forecasters predict the weather? Watch this video
Try this FUN activity where YOU can be the Forecaster from the National Weather Service HERE
MORE awesome weather activities to do at home HERE
Still want more Science? Samantha LOVES Science!
Watch her in her Science HACKS video to see her discuss some cool questions.
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Challenge:
YOU try it! Gather information that you can find from sources online, observation, other weather shows, and see how well you can do predicting the weather for 7 days. How did it go? Were you correct? Close? Far off?
It’s not as easy as it looks is it? Send us your weather predictions or share with us on our Twitter , Instagram or Facebook page!
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Highlighted book for this Episode!
Chasing Helicity Into the Wind by Ginger Zee
When Helicity Dunlap flies to Texas to spend time with her best friend Mia, she hopes to leave the tragedies of the devastating tornado and flash flood back in Michigan-at least for a little while.
And if there’s one place in the world that has weather to rival Michigan’s, it’s Texas. She and her friends go out for a day sail and get caught up in a derecho-a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms that once again turn her boat-and life-upside down. She’ll have to face her fears and muster all her strength and knowledge to fight her way out of the nightmare.
Book List:
National Geographic Kids Everything Weather: Facts, Photos, and Fun that Will Blow You Away by Kathy Furgang
A Kid’s Guide to Weather Forecasting – Weather for Kids by Baby Professor
The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book: From Tornadoes to Snowstorms, Puzzles, Games, and Facts That Make Weather for Kids Fun!
by Joseph Snedeker
