More than 12,000 students and teachers from southeastern Wisconsin were on the edge of their seats in the stands of Miller Park April 6 while learning about inclement weather and watching demonstrations on eclipses, making clouds and preparing pets for emergencies for Weather Day.

Weather Day provides students an opportunity to learn about seasons, precipitation, climates and storms in a fun environment. Participants are divided into two teams, and questions were asked on the jumbo screen, along with videos and demonstrations on the field. The event was sponsored by the Milwaukee Brewers and WTMJ-TV, whose meteorologists were the hosts.

Wisconsin Emergency Management teamed up with WTMJ-TV and Hank the Brewers Ballpark Pup to talk about pet preparedness this year.

According to Tod Pritchard, of Wisconsin Emergency Management and Ready Wisconsin, Wisconsin is heading into that time of year where weather warnings and watches happen, and situations where people need to have a plan and know what to do.

After the Weather Day presentation was over, students and teachers were able to attend the Brewers’ Science Fair, which had exhibits from Discovery World, Milwaukee Area Technical College, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the National Weather Service. Wisconsin Emergency Management set up a booth with giveaways and information about emergency preparedness kits.

“Here, for Ready Wisconsin, our biggest goal is to teach [students and teachers] about severe weather and how to get ready for emergency situations,” Pritchard said.

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard also interacted with students and teachers at Wisconsin Emergency Management’s booth, handing out pencils and bracelets.

“We work together just about every day, whether we’re planning or we’re responding to a severe weather threat,” said retired Brig. Gen. Mark Michie. “The National Guard and Wisconsin Emergency Management have to work together every day to ensure that we’re prepared and ready to respond to help the citizens of Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin Emergency Management also invited members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a crucial partner headquartered in Chicago, to help with the Weather Day booth.

“Our goal is to make sure as many of these kids take this message and actually use it, so next time severe weather threatens, or a disaster or any kind of emergency happens, they have a better idea of what they can do to keep themselves safe and also keep their families safe,” said Troy Christensen, a FEMA representative. “It’s a really, really crucial way of getting that message out.”