326 Barringer Rd.
Ilion, NY 13357
Phone: 315.894.8420
Fax: 315.894.0153
Principal
The wonder of weather
A meteorologist's lesson
WUTR/WXFV’s Chief Meteorologist Jeff Matthews visited Barringer Road’s 4th graders on Friday, January 27, 2012 as part of his Sketch the Sky series. He conducted an interactive science lesson on weather, clouds, the solar system and atmosphere. The kids were very excited and engaged by his demonstrations during the 45 minute lesson. His visit was a fun way to reinforce their weather curriculum in the classroom.
What is it like in the day of a meterologist?
To kick off the lesson, Mr. Matthews talked to the students about where he grew up, went to school, and stations he worked at before WUTR/WFXV. To show how he spends his day as a chief meteorologist, a "behind the scenes" video was shown and the students learned what is was like to present weather both behind and in front of the camera.
What is weather?
Mr. Matthews explained weather to the group in great detail. They learned how it works and it effects from the sun to the solar system, to earth and it's atmosphere. He taught about clouds, the water cycle, and storm formation. Students can now identify the symbols on the weather map and explain to their parents what they mean during the nightly weather forcast on the news!
Interactive experiments were demonstrated to explain each of the topics Mr. Matthews discussed. These demonstrations really keep the kids' attention and help them relate to the lesson. One of the favorite experiments shown is how cold liquid nitrogen is used showing the transformation of matter when it freezes a solid object almost immediately and they watch it shatter when hit on the table. Students then get to feel the chill first hand as the liquid nitrogen is tossed over them!
What did you learn today?
Wrapping up the lesson, Mr. Matthews interviewed a few students to see what they learned and/or what their favorite part of the lesson was. The segment aired February 6, 2012 after the weather on the newscast at 6:00 pm on WUTR and 10:00 pm on WFXV. View the video of the student interviews.
Sketch the Sky contest
As Jeff Matthews visits area schools, the videos and a picture drawn by a student in each school will be posted on WUTR/WFXV's website on the Sketch the Sky Contest page. The drawing that was chosen to represent the school will be voted on by viewers for a chance to win a class trip. The winning class will have lunch with Mr. Matthews at The Children's Museum in Utica. Voting does not start until all the participating schools have been shown on air, so keep checking back for updates when you can cast your vote for the best drawing on the Sketch the Sky Contest page.
Barringer Road's entry was created by Raymond Savarese.
Thank you!
The students and teachers from Barringer Road Elementary were very pleased to have Jeff Matthews visit and offer such an exciting science lesson on weather. Maybe some future meteorologists have been inspired!
