Wild About Weather At Head O’ Meadow

By Laurie Borst

On Thursday, October 18, students at Head O’ Meadow School were treated to an enlightening presentation of Wild About Weather. Keith Johnson brought his wild and zany show to the school and helped math/science specialist Gail Maletz introduce the new weather station that the school is setting up.

Through demonstrations and simulations, Mr Johnson explained the phenomenon we call weather.

“Heat from the sun makes air and water move around on earth. That is what makes our weather,” he told the children.

The students learned that lightning strikes the earth 100 times every second. Lightning is five times hotter than the sun.

He also explained the difference between weather and climate. “Climate is what we expect the weather to be at a particular time of year. Weather is the every day occurrences,” he continued.

Mr Johnson then turned the discussion to his favorite weatherman, Ben Franklin. “Ben Franklin was the first storm chaser. His research showed that weather moves from one place to another,” he explained.

Since Franklin’s time, weather instruments have been developed or improved upon. Mr Johnson described a scenario in Florida for the students referring to measurements from an anemometer, thermometer, hydrometer, barometer, and rain gauge. He told them this occurred last summer.

The students quickly realized he was describing conditions when Hurricane Dennis was approaching. “And they knew it was coming because of the instruments,” he said.

With visual aid, he showed the children how air is not empty, it exerts pressure on all things. He filled a glass with water and placed a card over the top. He then inverted the glass and the water stayed in.

Mr Johnson’s delivery was upbeat and fast-paced. He kept the students laughing while teaching them science.