CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — A Parkland College graduate will return to campus next month to headline the upcoming Kaler Science Lecture at the Staerkel Planetarium.
On Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m., meteorologist Andrew Pritchard will present “The Sights and Sounds of Tornado Alley,” offering insight into how tornadoes form and why North America experiences more tornado activity than most other regions of the world. The presentation will also include safety guidance for severe weather events, along with firsthand accounts and video footage from storms Pritchard has tracked.
Pritchard earned his associate degree at Parkland before completing a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology at Northern Illinois University. He operates Chambana Weather, providing daily forecasts for east central Illinois and contributing to local media outlets such as WILL. In addition, he studies global weather impacts on production agriculture for Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The lecture is part of the James B. Kaler Science Lecture Series, named for longtime University of Illinois astronomer Jim Kaler, who spoke in the series for nearly 30 years. Kaler Science Lectures are filmed by Parkland College TV.
Following the 7 p.m. lecture, the planetarium will present the fulldome feature “Out There: The Quest for Extrasolar Worlds” at 8 p.m.
Admission to the Kaler Lecture is $2 at the door and free for Friends of the Staerkel Planetarium. Most planetarium shows cost $8 for adults and $7 for children, seniors and Parkland students. Tickets may be purchased in advance at tickets.parkland.edu.
For more information or a complete show schedule, call 217-351-2568 or visit planetarium.parkland.edu.