It wasn't just storming outside Monday. It was also storming inside the Marshall High School.

Setting up shop inside the school's gymnasium, the KSLA Stormtracker 12 weather team schooled students and community members on safety tips and emergency procedures and provided an educational and fun learning experience for younger children.

CHARLES IYOHO/News Messenger (ENLARGE)

A member of the Stormtracker 12 team speaks during a weather exhibition Monday in Maverick gym.

CHARLES IYOHO/News Messenger (ENLARGE)

Youngsters gather items provided during the exhibition.

CHARLES IYOHO/News Messenger (ENLARGE)

Visitors watch as a fire tornado forms in the Sci-Port Discovery Center's demonstration area during a weather exhibition put on by the KSLA Stormtracker 12 weather team to promote weather safety and providing information about being a meteorologist.

Representatives from various agencies and organizations, including the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, East Texas Baptist University, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office and the Marshall Police Department, set up tables, distributing items and brochures on emergency resources and plans.

The station's Web manager could also be seen signing up residents for weather and breaking news e-mail alerts.

KSLA News 12 Director Jayne Ruben said the event was to run from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

"What we try to do is get severe weather safety information out to people who need it because weather is of course something that affects everyone's life," said Ms. Ruben. "The more information that you have, the better prepared you are in an emergency situation."

The Sci-Port Discovery Center drew a crowd with its fire tornado display and students eagerly lined up to be a "junior weather forecaster" in front of the station's green screen.

"This allows kids to picture themselves in television," said Ms. Ruben of the junior weather forecaster initiative. "They use one of the maps that our meteorologists at KSLA use everyday so it gives kids an opportunity to see how the green screen works."

KSLA Chief Meteorologist Stephen Parr said previously the event marked the station's third year conducting the tour. In the past, the team has visited schools in Minden, La., Texarkana and Bossier City, La.

MHS Principal Ted Huffhines said he expected about 200 to 300 people to be at the event, but warned the turnout could be affected by the adverse weather the area experienced that day.

"I think anytime we can do things to put Marshall out in front of the community, especially in such a wide area, and get Marshall on the map, so to speak, I think that's a good thing," said Huffhines. "I'm just glad that they're here. It's a positive for Marshall and for the community," he added.

"You never know. It might lay a seed for a future meteorologist. So that will be good."