Classroom Happenings: Look Up!

Gaze up at the sky: Is it cloudy? Bright? Does it feel like rain is coming? What does the forecast look like? Just ask the eighth graders in Middle School Science Teacher Sarah Bain’s class, who are learning about the atmosphere and various types of severe weather conditions.

In May, NBC affiliate WWBT meteorologist Ros Runner visited Steward to chat with the students about his career and fascination with all things weather. In Steeber Commons, Mr. Runner beamed when he told students about his lifelong interest in weather.

“As a child, I was so curious about science and clouds,” he shared. “I was always asking questions!”   

Mr. Runner spoke about the different cloud formations we might see when we look skyward, including cumulus (“fair-weather clouds that I still geek out about!”), stratus clouds, and nimbostratus clouds. “Nimbo means ‘rain,’” he shared. “So when you see nimbostratus clouds, you might want to grab a raincoat.” On a large projector was a photo of a bright blue sky filled with cirrus clouds (sometimes called “mare’s tails” because of their elongated shape and curly ends). “What are cirrus clouds made of?” he asked the audience. To Mr. Runner’s delight, many students correctly called out, “Ice!” 

“Did you know that The Steward School has a weather station?” asked Mr. Runner, explaining that the school has a satellite (located behind the Middle School building, on the corner of Field 1) that he can monitor to share local weather conditions with the WWBT audience. He went on to explain the elements that are used to assess weather and the tools that measure the elements: temperature (thermometer), air pressure (barometer), wind direction (wind vane), wind speed (anemometer), and humidity (hygrometer). 

Students were eager to ask Mr. Runner questions. Juliet Forlano ’28 wanted to know whether he follows a script when he’s on the air. Mr. Runner explained that he works without a script; instead, he rehearses the first three or words of his forecast right before showtime and then talks off the cuff. Emma Robbins ’28 asked why it is important to move away from windows during thunderstorms.

“Mr. Runner told us it’s because you want to stay as far away from the storm as possible,” said Emma, who was surprised to learn that a severe tornado had hit Colonial Heights, Va. in 1993. “I had never heard of a bad tornado like that in Virginia before,” she said.

Exploring topics like meteorology encourages critical thinking: Students make connections between what they learn at school and what they experience in their daily lives. 

“Our classroom lessons, combined with Mr. Runner’s talk, combined to give students wonderful opportunities to expand their knowledge of weather,” said Ms. Bain. “When students dive deeper into meteorology, they discover that it’s an endlessly complex and fascinating topic. Now when I hear my eighth graders say they think it’s going to rain because they spotted nimbostratus clouds on the way to school, I can’t help but smile!”