Project Description

Wicked Weather

Air in the atmosphere is always on the move, carrying clouds, rain, and snow around the globe. Model and experiment with these air and water movements; and even erupt your own flurry of snow. 

  • Level: Available for Foundation to Year 2.

  • Duration: Available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow.

  • Numbers: Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children. However, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.

  • State: VIC, NSW & QLD

Learning Outcomes

  • Our weather changes because the air in the Earth’s atmosphere is always moving and changing.

  • Weather impacts many aspects of our lives such as what we wear, what we eat, where we holiday, where we live, and what sort of houses we live in.

  • Clouds are made of condensed water vapour. When water vapour in clouds cools and condenses, rain drops form.

  • The Earth rotates and revolves on a tilted axis. This gives us the seasons.

  • Rainwater is fresh water, even if it originally came from the ocean. This is important as plants need fresh water to grow.

  • Snow is made up of tiny, frozen water crystals.

  • UV radiation from the Sun can be damaging to our skin and eyes.

  • Sometimes we have ‘extreme weather events’ such as tornadoes.

Activities

  • Compare the steam produced by a boiling water to the formation of a cloud. Observe a simulation of rain forming and falling.

  • Use basic laboratory equipment to make a simple model of the water cycle.

  • Each student erupts snow polymer, and explores its texture and properties.

  • Students conduct some simple tests to determine whether the material used in T-shirts and sunglasses blocks UV radiation.

  • Each student makes a simple UV detector to keep.

  • Observe a simulation of a tornado.

90 minute workshops also include these activities:

  • Exciting demonstration of an instant cloud in a bottle.

  • Demonstration of a cloud in a bottle with ethanol under pressure.

  • Model how the rotation of the Earth affects the way air moves around the world.

Victorian Curriculum Links

  • Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape; daily and seasonal changes affect everyday life (VCSSU046)

  • Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (VCSSU061)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

NSW Curriculum Links

  • Recognises observable changes occurring in the sky and on the land and identifies Earth’s resources (ST1-10ES-S)

  • Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations (ST2-1WS-S)

Australian Curriculum Links

  • Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape (ACSSU019)

  • Earth’s rotation on its axis causes regular changes, including night and day (ACSSU048)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (ACSIS025)

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SCHOOL FEEDBACK

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Highly engaging and entertaining workshop. All of the children and teachers alike enjoyed it thoroughly. Well resourced and presented. Children loved bringing home their orbeez. Thank you!

Aoibhin @ Clovelly Public School Chemistry Chaos JNR workshops October 25, 2024

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Caleb was an amazing presenter keeping all the students engaged and sharing knowledge in a fun and exciting way!

Kirsty @ St Anthony's Noble Park Mad Science Show October 24, 2024

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Sarah was great, super friendly and awesome energy. The boys loved the show and spoke about it for days afterwards. Thanks very much, would definitely recommend.

Holly @ Moreton Bay Boys' College Mad Science Show October 24, 2024

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