We are so happy that you are joining us for the STEM Investigation Camp! Welcome to Day 1. We hope that you are ready to have some cool experiences with Science and gain some skills to help you solve the overarching mystery presented in the introduction for this camp. Today you will use the Weather Science kit to explore some really interesting things about weather. Have fun exploring!
Embedded Files
Your Assignment
Your Assignment
Wreckage from the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza was strewn across the open field just southeast of Boulder, CO. Investigators scrambled over rocks and sagebrush to gather evidence ahead of the coming storm. This week, your assignment as a DNA Forensic Scientist is to determine who was flying the plane (who was the pilot) and what made the small plane with three passengers crash?
DAY ONE BIG IDEA
DAY ONE BIG IDEA
During the investigation of the plane crash, investigators go back and look at the weather at the time the plane took off through the estimated time of the plane crash. The weather service reported calm winds of 2-5 mph and clear sunny skies.
During the investigation of the plane crash, investigators go back and look at the weather at the time the plane took off through the estimated time of the plane crash. The weather service reported calm winds of 2-5 mph and clear sunny skies.
Day 1: Meteorology
Day 1: Meteorology
Meteorology is the branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather.
Meteorology is the branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather.
Jobs in Meteorology: If you would like to know more about careers in meteorology, here’s a link to information on what it takes to become a meteorologist, as well as some of the jobs that meteorologists do:
Jobs in Meteorology: If you would like to know more about careers in meteorology, here’s a link to information on what it takes to become a meteorologist, as well as some of the jobs that meteorologists do:
Today's Challenge: Weather Experiments
Today's Challenge: Weather Experiments
For this activity, you'll need the a Weather Station / Science Kit.
The kit should include climate or weather experimentation equipment.
Use the activities included in the kit to learn more about our planet's weather systems.
Fully assembled, the weather station is an ideal size for sitting on a desktop or bookshelf.
Meet Megan McClellan, FOX23 Meteorologist
Meet Megan McClellan, FOX23 Meteorologist
Megan McClellan joined the FOX23 Severe Weather Team in April 2016 from KTEN-TV in Denison, TX where she focused on the forecast for Southern Oklahoma and North Texas .
Megan considers herself a “Texas Girl, Born & Raised”. She graduated from Rockwall High School and moved to Norman, Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) and get a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology with minors in Mathematics and General Business.
Learn more about meteorology and Megan's career path!
Meet Lt. Black, U.S. Airforce Pilot
Meet Lt. Black, U.S. Airforce Pilot
Lt. Black is a pilot with the United States Air Force. Learn about his career path to be a pilot, what it takes to become a pilot and the affects of weather on flying planes.
Learn all about Lt. Black and how he works to protect our country.
Professor Jerry McCoy
Professor Jerry McCoy
Professor McCoy explains the physics behind what to look for in determining causes of a plane crash.
STEM@HOME Challenge
STEM@HOME Challenge
The STEM@HOME Challenges are hands-on STEM activities and challenges, designed to utilize materials many families may have at home or can easily source at the grocery store.
Build an Anemometer
Build an Anemometer
The instrument used to measure wind speed is called an anemometer, which is an indicator that will spin in the wind.
Materials Needed:
Materials Needed:
5 paper cups
Pencil with eraser
Push pin
2 straws
Anemometer Building Instructions:
Anemometer Building Instructions:
Take one of the paper cups and punch a hole on each of the 4 sides of the cup, opposite each other, just below the rim.
Take the other 4 paper cups and punch two holes adjacent to each other on the one side of the cup just below the
Thread one of the straws through two of the holes that are opposite each other on the cup with 4 holes in it.
Thread the other straw through the two remaining holes opposite each other on the cup with 4 holes in it.
Take one of the cups with two adjacent holes in it and thread it on to one of the straw arms extending out from the center cup.
Repeat with the other three cups making sure that all the cups are facing the same way.
Punch a hole in the center of the bottom of the center cup with a sharp pencil. Push the pencil all the way through the hole and use the pencil to make the hole a little bit larger. Let the pencil eraser rest just below the point where the straw arms cross inside the center cup.
Push the push pin through the point where the straws cross into the pencil eraser.
Turn the anemometer a few rounds to make sure that it turns freely. You may need to adjust the push pin to make the anemometer turn easily.
Place the anemometer outside where it can turn and easily indicate the speed of the wind.
Observe
Observe
Create a table like the one pictured and record your anemometer observations.
Build a Wind Sock
Build a Wind Sock
Wind speed is determined by the angle of the windsock to its mounting pole as the wind blows through it. The higher the wind sock is in the air the higher the wind speed. The lower the wind sock is in the air the lower the wind speed. The FAA has set standards for using a wind sock to determine wind speed.
Materials Needed:
Materials Needed:
Paper
markers/crayons, pencils
Ribbon, string, strips of cloth
Tape
Wind Sock Building Instructions:
Wind Sock Building Instructions:
Take a piece of paper and decorate it using the markers in the toolkit and any crayons or stickers you have that you would like to add.
Tape the top of the page to the bottom of the page to form a long paper cylinder for the body of the wind sock.
Punch holes around the bottom edge of the windsock and attach the plastic ribbon from the toolkit to make it easier to tell wind speed when looking at your windsock
Punch two holes- one on each side at the top of the cylinder. Run a long piece of plastic ribbon through the two holes and tie the ribbon in a double knot approximately 1’ above the cylinder of the windsock.
Take the windsock outside and tie the plastic ribbon handle to a tree limb, fence post or pole where the windsock will be in the path of wind and able to move freely.
Record your observations on wind speed based on what you see happening to the windsock over the course of 5 days.
Observe
Observe
Create a table like the one pictured and record your windsock observations.
Reflection
Reflection
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