NCCS 5th Graders Interview Weather Channel’s Carl Parker

NORWALK, CT - From New Canaan Country School: Fifth grade science students interviewed Atlanta-based meteorologist Carl Parker via teleconference Wednesday. The interview, led by Middle School Science Teacher Lindsay Frey, was part of a larger study on the forces that drive weather patterns.

The study provides the opportunity for students to develop basic scientific methods of research and inquiry, such as the skills of observation, inference, data collection, analysis, graphing and interviewing to seek answers to specific questions. Plus, it’s just plain fun to talk with someone as passionate about storms and weather as Parker.

Here is a sampling of the 30 questions the Weather Channel Network's hurricane specialist fielded:

"How do hurricanes form?”

“What is the scale of hurricanes?”

"Is climate change making hurricanes worse?"

"Who chooses the names for the hurricanes?"

"What types of special classes did you have to take to be a meteorologist?"

"Did someone inspire you and if so, who?"

"What advice would you offer a student who wanted to become more involved in meteorology and science?"

“How has math helped you with your career?”

“It’s been very rewarding,” says Parker about his career as a meteorologist. “Now and again I’ll hear from people who say they heard me talk about the business end of a severe storm taking aim on a specific location, and that they then took cover and made it through.”

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9. Located on a 75-acre campus in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living throughout the region. For more information about the school, please visit: www.countryschool.net.

Image via New Canaan Country School