School day visit – weather

SCHOOL DAY VISIT – WEATHER

Sydney Observatory is open for booked school visits Monday to Friday during school terms. Each 90-minute tour is guided by a meteorology educator.

Each visit consists of:
1. ‘Observing the weather’ exhibition visit led by Observatory staff. Exhibition features include:
a. What was the weather on your birthday interactive
b. Tipping bucket rain gauge interactive
c. Make a cloud interactive
d. Historic anemometers, barometers, sun gauge, and Australia’s first weather map displays.
e. Learning how to read weather maps

2. Data collection of some or all of the following using our equipment supervised by Observatory staff. Don’t forget a pencil!
a. Temperature
b. Barometric pressure
c. Wet and dry temperature to calculate relative humidity
d. Wind speed
e. The ultra-violet index
f. Rainfall.

3. 3-D Space Theatre presentation of the latest High definition movie ‘Extreme places’. Produced by the University of Technology Swinburne in Melbourne this movie describes some of the extreme weather conditions found throughout the Solar System, including the surfaces of Venus and Mars along with the icy depths of the frozen moon of Jupiter, Europa.

Other 3-D content includes:
a. Animated High and Low pressure systems
b. Storm warnings including volcanic activity
c. A virtual visit to the Bureau of Meteorology Instrument Lawn
d. Key weather dates such as February 7th 2009 in which hot winds from central Australia caused devastating fires in Victoria.

We recommend that either before or after the visit that teachers lead their students to the nearby Bureau of Meteorology instrument lawn approximately 50 metres away. This significant historic site is still one of the prime locations for the remote collection of weather data for the Bureau. Instruments include:
a. Stevenson screen for temperature and humidity measurements
b. Pluviographs for rainfall
c. Rain gauge for rainfall
d. Tipping bucket rain gauge for rainfall
It also provides an opportunity to view the nearby illuminated barometer atop Westpac Place in Kent St.

Session times 10am to 11.30am
noon to 1.30pm
Cost $10 per student
Teachers are free
Supervision Minimum of one teacher per 20 students
Group size Maximum of 60 students
(larger groups from regional areas or interstate can be accommodated)

How to arrange a visit
Please consider several dates before making your booking, in case your first preference has already been taken.

To make a booking call 9921 3485 or 9921 3481 (8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday or 10.00am to 5.00pm weekends) and one of our friendly staff will assist you.

Please ensure your have the following information ready:
• Name of school, address, telephone, fax and email details
• Number of students and class year
• Preferred time of arrival and departure (allow for travel time)
• Number of supervisors according to the following ratios: minimum of one teacher per 20 students
• Any students with special needs
• The best way and time to contact you if a return call is necessary
Once a date is confirmed, you will receive a booking confirmation form. Please check that all booking details are correct then sign and return the form.

Stage 1 (years K–2) Teachers prior to the visit can download the following PDF documents:
1. Early stage 1 weather worksheet or Stage 1 weather worksheet
2. Cloud identification sheet
3. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) instrument lawn map and description
4. Set of weather maps that explain key features including isobars, pressure cells, winds, rainfall and fronts

Stage 3 (years 4–6) Teachers prior to the visit can download the following PDF documents:
1. A 16-page weather booklet containing pre-, during- and post-visit exercises. It is strongly recommended that the students bring this booklet with them on the day of the visit.

2. Cloud identification sheet

3. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) instrument lawn map and description

4. Set of weather maps that explain key features including isobars, pressure cells, winds, rainfall and fronts.

Stages 4 and 5 (years 7–10) teachers prior to the visit can download the following PDF documents:
1. Worksheet for years 7 to 10
2. Cloud identification sheets
3. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) instrument lawn map and description
4. Set of weather maps that explain key features including isobars, pressure cells, winds, rainfall and fronts.

At the conclusion of the visit each class will receive one copy of the Bureau of Meteorology’s book ‘Stormy weather’.

A DET risk assessment form is available to download from the list of links, above left.

Sydney Observatory’s weather program, developed with support from the Bureau of Meteorology, offers several flexible and engaging 90-minute programs suitable for Stage 1, 3, 4and 5 children studying the weather. Each program can cater for one or two visits per day of up to 60 children each.

For more information about this visit or to discuss your needs please email Senior Education Officer Geoff Wyatt or call him on 9921 3481.

Cancellation
Cancellations must be advised by fax at least one week prior to the booking date or 50% of the fee will be charged.

Invoicing
Invoice will be issued on the day of the tour for the number booked plus extras; if less turn up on the day than the number booked, invoice will be for the number booked (unless the change in numbers was advised more than 24 hours prior).

Please note: some of the equipment is both fragile and expensive so please ensure it is used with care.

Joint visits
A $1 discount per child is available for joint visits to our preferred partners, the Powerhouse Museum, IMAX and Australian National Maritime Museum.

A full day program on weather is available with a combined Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) package. For details on the Maritime museum visit ANMM.

For further information please contact Sydney Observatory by telephoning 9921 3481 or by email.