Background:
Kindergarten has been exploring weather and weather hazards. Students were fascinated by hurricanes and had so many questions about how they are formed. They learned that hurricanes form over warm water in the ocean near the equator. They also learned that the center of the hurricane (the eye) is the calmest part and it is surrounded by the most dangerous and strongest part.
Question to Explore
How can we create a hurricane in a bowl?
Materials
- bowl
- blue food coloring
- water
- stirring spoon
Procedure
- Fill a large bowl with water
- Use a spoon to stir the water
- Quickly remove the spoon and add 2-3 drops of blue food coloring to the center of the water.
- Notice the quick swirling motion of the blue dye. You will also see the swirling spread out and slow down, similar to what a real hurricane would do once it reaches land.
