Local Meteorologist Takes Vardeman Primary Students on a Virtual Field Trip

Disponible en: Español

Local meteorologist, Britta Merwin, gave Vardeman Primary students the VIP treatment during a virtual field trip to her weather station at KPRC.

Students from Nancy Mixon Conyer’s kindergarten class were in for a surprise when Merwin showcased what she does for work each day as a meterologist. The virtual field trip was the finale of the students Seasons and Weather learning unit.

Merwin walked the students backstage all the way to her weather station. She showed the students the tools she uses to broadcast the weather forecast on TV, including the infamous green screen. Students were able to ask questions and participate in weather observation activities.

“When I was in second grade, my local meteorologist came to my school,” Merwin said. “That was the moment I realized my passion for weather was a job. I went home and wrote a letter to my mom stating that when I grew up I was going to be a mommy and a meteorologist.”

Conyer extended an invitation to Merwin becasuse she thought it would be a great way for students to connection their learning to real-world experiences. Additionally, she made “mini-Brittas” for each of the students and they had a chance to use their new meterologist skills to complete more weather activities after the virtual visit.

“I enjoyed how she talked to the kids in a language they could understand,” Conyer explained. “But she also used terminology that was in alignment with our CKLA unit.”

Last year, Aldine ISD adopted a new curriculum based on the science of reading called Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). CKLA is a reading program that builds students’ knowledge and vocabulary in literature, history, geography, and science.