As part of their extreme weather unit, fourth graders in Danielle Romano and Don Triebel’s class at Lakeview Elementary School recently participated in a live virtual visit with Dr. Curtis Walker, an Applications Laboratory scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Walker, a college friend of class parent Angela Kilkenny, shared an engaging overview of some of the most powerful storms to impact the United States, including hurricanes, tropical storms, blizzards and wildfires. He explained the atmospheric conditions that lead to these events and offered students a behind-the-scenes look at how scientists study and forecast severe weather.
After the presentation, students eagerly posed thoughtful questions, asking how tornadoes form and how meteorologists predict the weather. Dr. Walker described how heat, moisture and unstable air can create tornadoes and explained the tools scientists rely on, including weather balloons, satellites and computer models, to make accurate forecasts.
“Our students have been deeply engaged in learning about extreme weather, and this experience brought their studies to life,” Triebel said. “Connecting directly with a working scientist helped them see how the concepts we discuss in class apply in the real world.”
At the conclusion of the visit, Triebel asked how many students might consider a future career in meteorology. More than half the class raised their hands.
Romano and Triebel, along with their students, thanked Dr. Walker for sharing his time and expertise, and expressed their appreciation to Kilkenny for helping make the virtual visit possible.
