Science students agree that meteorologists bring sunshine to the classroom and make learning a breeze.

That’s what happened when Monument Hill Kiwanis Club members spoke to Bear Creek Elementary School six-grade students on April 22. Dr. Ed Tomlinson and Steve Sutherland explained how hurricanes and typhoons affect weather, and the tools used to monitor these events.

The presentation was part of Valerie DeLello’s science classes.

“We went into how you take observations and put the information into weather charts/maps for different levels of the atmosphere to be able to look at what the weather is doing and where you can find the high and low pressure systems,” Sutherland said. “We then went into how that information is taken and put into weather modeling forecasts to assist in predicting what the weather forecast will be.”

Both presenters are retired U.S. Air Force meteorologists. Tomlinson, president/chief meteorologist of Atmospheric Science Consultants, LLC in Monument, once flew with the Typhoon Chasers in the western Pacific Ocean. This is a crew that tracks, pursues and observes tropical cyclones, hurricanes or typhoons and gathers scientific data.

DeLello said it’s important for students to learn from experts. She initiated the presentation last year when she reached out to MHKC after learning some members have meteorology backgrounds. Sutherland and Tomlinson embraced the opportunity to return to the classroom and share their knowledge and experiences with students.

Prior to presentation day, DeLello discussed basic meteorological concepts with students so they had a better grasp of weather terms and concepts. She provided background information, and prepared them to ask questions about atmospheric physics and how meteorology applies to daily life.

Both speakers explained how observation and information is incorporated into weather charts/maps for various atmosphere levels for studying weather activity, and where high and low pressure systems are found. Students learned about the number of lightning strikes a plane might endure in the eye of a hurricane or typhoon.

“Steve brought in his maps which added to the presentation. The kids got excited about that,” DeLello said. “The kids did a fabulous job asking questions and giving the presenters respect.”

Students couldn’t wait to ask questions. They wanted to know why Sutherland and Tomlinson became meteorologists, and what they like best about their profession. They also asked about an isobar that, in meteorology, connects points of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map to identify high/low-pressure systems and wind intensity.

Students learned that geography, math and physics courses are necessary for meteorologist wannabes. One inquisitive student asked the speakers what they enjoyed about their job. Answer: to be able to verify the forecast given and get it right, and provide a better safety of flight operations.

Also, everyone discussed the MHKC-funded state-of-the-art weather station that provides air temperature, lightning activity, precipitation, wind speed and solar radiation information. Located atop the school’s roof, the station reports real time weather data available to science classes and enables students to download harvested data to tablets used to create forecast models.

“As a follow-up to last year’s presentation, Steve and I thought it would be an asset for the science classes to have their own weather station to collect data at their school,” Tomlinson said.

Sutherland praised students for their questions and attentiveness.

“They were very attentive students who could not wait to answer or ask questions.,” he said. “This definitely made it fun and enjoyable to share with all of them on various topics on the weather. It was great to see their interest.”