The Wonders of Weather
This workshop explores how the sun, air and water factor in determining the Earth's weather.
This workshop consists of constructing and testing meteorology instruments to learn how we measure and predict weather. Participants will construct thermometers and explore the effects of hot and cold temperatures on a liquid. They will also construct and test anemometers to calculate wind velocity. Participants will explore different cloud formations and cloud classifications. Lastly, they will use static electricity to demonstrate how lightning is formed.
What You Need
Activity 1: Thermometers
- Red alcohol thermometer (demonstration)
- Straws (1 per participant)
- Plasticine (light coloured, 1 small ball per participant) *or other non-hardening modeling clay
- Plastic test tube (1 per participant)
- Test tube racks (2-3, depending on # of participants)
- Pipettes (8-10)
- Food colouring (for water)
- Containers for water (2)
- Masking tape
- Pen
- Electric kettle
- Make a Thermometer Task Card
Activity 2: Anemometers
- Straws (2 per participant)
- Large straws (1 per participant)
- Pencils (new/unsharpened, 1 per participant)
- Push pin (1 per participant)
- 2oz. plastic cups (4 per participant)
- Masking tape
- Fans (2)
- Stopwatches (2-4)
- Calculators (2)
- Rulers (2)
- Rubber tubing
- Make an Anemometer Task Card
- Calculate Wind Velocity Worksheet (short or long version)
Activity 3: Cloud Identification
- Cloud chart (laminated)
- Example pictures of clouds (laminated)
- Cloud Classification Task Card
Activity 4: Lightning in a pan
- Aluminum pie plates (2)
- Plasticine (2 pieces)* or other non-hardening modeling clay
- Pens (2)
- Large Styrofoam blocks (2)
- Wool mittens/socks (2)
- Lightning in a Pan Task Card
- Hurricane name sheets
Guide:
Safety Notes
Be cautious while using boiling water. Please keep electronic devices away from workstations while using water.
All electronic equipment (kettles, fans) should be operated by a volunteer or adult
Keep paper towel nearby to clean up any spills in your workstation.
What To Do
Pre Activity Prep
Print the following worksheets, as applicable:
- Calculate Rotations Worksheet (short worksheet)
- Calculate Wind Velocity Worksheet (long worksheet)
- Wonders of Weather Crossword Puzzle (optional)
Activity 1: Thermometers
- Wrap a piece of masking tape around the top of a straw and write your name on it.
- Fill the test tube with 10mL of coloured water using a pipette.
- Insert a straw into the test tube but do not let it touch the bottom of the tube.
- Use the plasticine to seal the area between the straw and the test tube, with the hole inside the straw left open. Double check that there are no leaks.
- Experiment by placing the bottom of the test tube (now thermometer) into containers of hot and cold water. Discuss the observations and use the red alcohol thermometer to further demonstrate how temperature is measured.
Activity 2: Anemometers
- Make an X shape with 2 thin straws.
- Poke a push pin through both straws where they meet in the centre.
- Poke the sharp end of pin through the top of the eraser on the pencil.
- Attach the cups sideways onto ends of straws using masking tape so that all cups face the same direction.
- Insert a pencil into rubber tubing
- Test the anemometer using the fans The results will be recorded using the Calculate Revolutions Worksheet (short) and/or Calculate Revolutions Worksheet.
Activity 3: Cloud Classification
- Match cloud pictures to a cloud chart to identify the different types of cloud classifications.
Activity 4: Lightning in a Pan
- Secure a pen to the center of an aluminum pie plate with plasticine.
- Rub the Styrofoam quickly with a wool sock
- Pick up the aluminum pie plate with a pen and put it down on top of the Styrofoam (do not touch the pie plate with your hands)
- Slowly bring your finger close to the pie plate. There should be a tiny spark.
- Repeat experiment using the wool mitten.
- For best results, turn the classroom lights off in order to see the spark.
Post Activity (optional)
- Hand out The Wonders of Weather Crossword Puzzle if time permits, or give to educator to reinforce the topics discussed in today’s workshop.
Discovery
Activity 1: Thermometers
Sunlight causes the earth’s surface to warm up. Temperature impacts the speed that molecules (solid, liquid and gas) move. When we put our thermometers in hot water, the air molecules in the thermometer start to heat up and take up more space, pushing down on the water, which is then forced up the straw. In our demonstration thermometer, as the liquid molecules (i.e. coloured alcohol or mercury) heat up, they start moving faster and spreading apart, which causes the liquid to rise in the thermometer.
Activity 2: Anemometers
Wind is the result of mixing hot and cool air by uneven heating from the sun. We can measure how fast the wind is moving (wind velocity) by how many times the cups on the anemometer rotate during a time interval. In order to know the speed, we need to calibrate the anemometer by counting revolutions with an already known wind speed. We can compare the measurements to the calibrated ones to determine wind velocity.
Activity 4: Lightning in a Pan
Lightning occurs when there is a difference in electrical charge between storm clouds and the ground (or sometimes, other clouds). An accumulation of electric charges occurs when we rub the wool sock or mitten with the Styrofoam block. The aluminum pie plate acts as a conductor, so when the pie plate is touched, a connection is made and protons move from our bodies and into the Styrofoam block. As a result, we see a spark of static electricity!
The weather has a great impact on our daily lives, from determining what we wear, to growing food and more. This is why we use a variety of different meteorology instruments to help us predict the weather. It is important for us to understand how human activity impacts the Earth’s weather and climate (global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, etc.). By understanding how all the systems work together, we can learn how to minimize our effect on the environment.
- To adapt for younger audiences, Activity 3 (Cloud Classification) can be replaced with Storytime - Cloud in a Jar.
- Measuring and Forecasting Weather (Backgrounders)- Learn about different weather instruments that meteorologists use to measure weather.
Web
Department of Atmospheric Sciences – University of Illinois
The Weather Network (Canadian)
Marshall Brain’s – How stuff works
Kendra, M. and Williams, P. (1992). Science Wizardry for Kids. New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. ISBN: 0-8120-4766-4
Alvens, C. (1994). Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment – 5th edition. Minneapolis: West Publishing Company. ISBN: 0-314-02779-3
Attachments
What's Happening?
Activity 1: Thermometers
Sunlight causes the earth’s surface to warm up. Temperature impacts the speed that molecules (solid, liquid and gas) move. When we put our thermometers in hot water, the air molecules in the thermometer start to heat up and take up more space, pushing down on the water, which is then forced up the straw. In our demonstration thermometer, as the liquid molecules (i.e. coloured alcohol or mercury) heat up, they start moving faster and spreading apart, which causes the liquid to rise in the thermometer.
Activity 2: Anemometers
Wind is the result of mixing hot and cool air by uneven heating from the sun. We can measure how fast the wind is moving (wind velocity) by how many times the cups on the anemometer rotate during a time interval. In order to know the speed, we need to calibrate the anemometer by counting revolutions with an already known wind speed. We can compare the measurements to the calibrated ones to determine wind velocity.
Activity 4: Lightning in a Pan
Lightning occurs when there is a difference in electrical charge between storm clouds and the ground (or sometimes, other clouds). An accumulation of electric charges occurs when we rub the wool sock or mitten with the Styrofoam block. The aluminum pie plate acts as a conductor, so when the pie plate is touched, a connection is made and protons move from our bodies and into the Styrofoam block. As a result, we see a spark of static electricity!
Why Does it Matter?
The weather has a great impact on our daily lives, from determining what we wear, to growing food and more. This is why we use a variety of different meteorology instruments to help us predict the weather. It is important for us to understand how human activity impacts the Earth’s weather and climate (global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, etc.). By understanding how all the systems work together, we can learn how to minimize our effect on the environment.
Investigate Further
- To adapt for younger audiences, Activity 3 (Cloud Classification) can be replaced with Storytime - Cloud in a Jar.
- Measuring and Forecasting Weather (Backgrounders)- Learn about different weather instruments that meteorologists use to measure weather.
Resources
Web
Department of Atmospheric Sciences – University of Illinois
The Weather Network (Canadian)
Marshall Brain’s – How stuff works
Kendra, M. and Williams, P. (1992). Science Wizardry for Kids. New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. ISBN: 0-8120-4766-4
Alvens, C. (1994). Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment – 5th edition. Minneapolis: West Publishing Company. ISBN: 0-314-02779-3
