South Topsail Elementary School 2008
In February of 2008...National Weather Service Meteorologists Stephen Keebler and Erik Heden
taught a three part series on meteorology at South Topsail Elementary School in Hampstead North
Carolina. The focus of the initiative was safety...more imporantly tornado safety. During the final
lesson...minature tornadoes...were distributed to all fifth graders with tornado safety reminders printed on the side.
These were furnished through a grant from The Bright Ideas Grant
Education Grant Program and The Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation
A big thank you goes out to these folks. Also a big thank you to South Topsail fifth grade teachers Josh Manley and
Charley Baker.
See the breakdown of the sessions below.
Day One February 7, 2008
The first day was dedicated to introductions and an introduction to basic components of the atmosphere.
These included air masses...cold...warm and stationary fronts. Pressure systems...both high and low
were covered. Weather maps were also covered extensively. One of the main components of the presentations were
the interative questions...where web-based questions were used to engage and reward the students. See the
interactive questions for this section.
Day Two February 14, 2008
After a brief review...we picked up right where we left off. We began the session talking about
the different classifications of clouds. Next we stepped into thunderstorms. We talked about
the ingredients necessary for formation...the different stages and last but not least safety.
The Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process is fairly simple. We started with clear...plactic bottles
...120cc to be more precise with the proper closures. For the process...we needed glitter...
super glue...dish detergent...and labels.
First add a splash of glitter and detergent.
Next...add water.
Next...add a drop or two of superglue to the lid and attach.
Finally...add the label and shake in a circular fashion for mamimum effect.
Click on the images to the left for more details.
First add a splash of glitter and detergent.
Next...add water.
Next...add a drop or two of superglue to the lid and attach.
Finally...add the label and shake in a circular fashion for mamimum effect.
Click on the images to the left for more details.
Day Three February 19, 2008
After a brief review...we once again picked up right in sequence. We talked about tornado climatology...
the necessary ingredients for tornadoes...and of course tornado safety. We finished the program by looking at the
tornado simulator and distributing the mini-tornadoes.
National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office, Wilmington NC
2015 Gardner Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 762-4289
Page Author:
Web Master's E-mail: ilm.webmaste r@noaa.gov
Page Last Modified: April 14, 2008
Weather Forecast Office, Wilmington NC
2015 Gardner Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 762-4289
Page Author:
Web Master's E-mail: ilm.webmaste r@noaa.gov
Page Last Modified: April 14, 2008