Presentation/Activity Suggestions for Elementary Students

[Robert Edmonds]

Hi all,

Working in an astronomy department (researching planetary atmospheres), I am used to doing presentations about comets, stars, etc. for the public. For the first time, someone has asked me to do a presentation about weather (storms, climates), natural disaster preparedness, and meteorology. Again, since I am in an astro department, I double checked that they didn’t want someone to talk about meteors.

Since this is new for me, I was wondering what you would suggest be included in a presentation, and any possible activities I might conduct. Again, I more used to building a comets for elementary students. The age group is 3rd-6th grade, so the presentation or activities should be steered toward that age group. My initial thinking was going over the basics of what to, and what not to do, with regards to floods, lightning, and tornadoes. Being in south central NM, I planned to focus a little more on the first two. Not to say we don’t have our occasional tornado (thinking back to October of last year and a few year’s past), but being in the desert flash floods and lightning are something that should be primarily focused on.

Thanks again for any suggestions!!!

 

[Chip Redmond]

Real simple and the kids will love it, tornado in a bottle. We have done things with kids such as collision coalescence of water droplets, cloud in a jar, and pressure differences blowing across paper. Also, warm colored water in blue cold water is a simple one to show fronts, etc. Just a few ideas. Google any of the above and you will find simple results on how to do the above. All are fairly easy to make.

 

[MClarkson]

Liquid nitrogen and a helium balloon for changing density. Tesla coils or Van de Graaff generators are decent for making noise and light displays that are sort of related to lightning.