Weather Wonders
Bemus Point Students Learn About The Elements
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- The Bemus Point Elementary School were visited by Andy Parker, meteorologist, who brought along his weather machine. The elementary school participated in and later won WKBW Buffalo’s contest that allows school districts to experience the weather machine and a presentation by Parker. P-J photos by Jordan W. Patterson
The Bemus Point Elementary School were visited by Andy Parker, meteorologist, who brought along his weather machine. The elementary school participated in and later won WKBW Buffalo’s contest that allows school districts to experience the weather machine and a presentation by Parker. P-J photos by Jordan W. Patterson
BEMUS POINT — A weather balloon bounced around the Bemus Point Elementary School gymnasium courtesy of Meteorologist Andy Parker and the school district. But more importantly, Sonja DuBois said the entire event generated a “community feeling.”
After the elementary school received 50,000 more votes than other competing schools in Parker and TV station WKBW Buffalo’s voting competition, Parker, his crew and the weather machine made the trip to Bemus Point.
DuBois, elementary principal, said because her school emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEAM) education, the school “worked really hard” to bring Parker and the weather machine to Bemus Point.
The school received much support from the encompassing community and even from surrounding school districts like Southwestern and Panama. DuBois said a Facebook group was even created to curate additional support for the school.
“Parents from all over wanted to help us win this,” DuBois said. “They voted like crazy. Our community came together.”
Students began to shuffle into the gymnasium ahead of the weather machine show Thursday. The weather machine, created by Parker and his cohorts, replicates various weather elements for students to learn about. The machine is capable of producing tornados, lighting, snowstorms and other weather related conditions.
The one-hour-long event featured an energized elementary student body that was able to participate in some of the activities.
While teaching the students about how meteorologists and weather stations use balloons to determine patterns in the atmosphere, the process was demonstrated for students. Several Bemus Point students were able to hold the balloon as it expanded filing with air. Later, the balloon was tossed around the crowd of students watching Parker and his team.
“What I’ve liked the most is how it pulled the community together,” DuBois said. “It’s really given everybody an opportunity to have comradery around something exciting.”
