This past weekend, members from the Rutgers Meteorology Club talked to children about weather and how meteorologists study it. Their visit came on a special day: a dusting of snow in April! Of course we had to put together a suitable display.
But the snow (and later, rain) did not stop these determined researchers from getting to the Livingston Public Library. They talked to a rapt crowd about hurricanes, tornadoes, and more! We also all appreciated hearing facts about New Jersey weather, like the droughts we have experienced recently. Our visitors also patiently and thoroughly answered questions like how clouds are formed and even what weather is like on other planets.
After the event, we participated in some citizen science! We went to the windows and looked to the rainy outside. Then we reported what clouds we saw in the GLOBE Observer app, which is where you can report weather conditions and take pictures of clouds in your area. Through the app, we sent our data off so that scientists can compare our reports to what they see on satellite images. If you want to learn more about citizen science, take a look at our handout for Citizen Science Month!
At the end of the event, children left with big smiles on their faces, knowledge in their heads, and even some activity sheets in their hands.
A HUGE thank you to the Rutgers Meteorology Club for sharing their time, energy, and passion with the kids of Livingston. We hope you can come back soon!
If you missed the program but are interested in weather, there are lots of resources in the library and online:
Check out weather fact books at the library in section J 551.5.
Play online educational weather games at one of these websites:
- Games on SciJinks.gov – make snowflakes, tornados, rainbows, and more!
- Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies’ collection of weather games
- The UCAR Center for Science Education’s games – name clouds, see solar eclipse photos, and more!
~Lisa Jenkins, Youth Services Librarian