Introduction for Teachers

Welcome to the Weather Kit, a resource for Victorian schools produced by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Department of Education, Employment and Training, as part of the Science in Schools initiative.

The kit has been provided to each of the nine DEET science coordinators in Victoria for distribution to schools in their region.

The main purpose of the kit is to provide teachers and students with weather measuring instruments to help achieve learning outcomes in subjects such as science, geography, and health and physical education.

The Weather Kit was produced with the special assistance of Pauline Rogers, formerly of the Cooperative Research Centre for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology, and four teachers: Naomi Kimpton of Cheltenham East Primary School, Ian Lewis of Portland Secondary College, Pam Dudgeon of Abbotsford Primary School and Wendy Connor of Eaglehawk Secondary College.

	Section 1 - Introduction for Teachers
	This section includes a list of suggested activities and possible links to the Victorian Curriculum Standards Framework.
	Section 2 - 'How to' use the Instruments
	There are 32 laminated leaflets on how to use each of the 32 instruments. Please note that if you wish to make copies of the leaflets for your class, black and white versions are provided for better quality photocopying. Please ensure that each of the numbered leaflets and their associated instruments are returned to the kit at the end of the lesson.
	Section 3 - Notes and Information for activities
	These information sheets may be useful for class activities. They include: An observations sheet, on which the measurements can be recorded, A climate almanac for Melbourne, listing average and extreme weather conditions for every day of the year, Fun things to do such as a wordfind and crossword, Details of what combination of weather conditions in Victoria triggers a "farmers and graziers warning", a fungal warning and various wind warnings. Clean-up procedures for mercury spills. The two whirling psychrometers (to measure humidity) are the only instruments in the kit that contain mercury. An evaluation sheet to return to the Bureau or your regional science coordinator, if you so wish.
	Section 4 - Contacts / Further Information
	This section contains a list of useful contacts, as well as details on: The Bureau of Meteorology website's "Learn about Meteorology" pages and the "Students and Teachers" section containing a number of lesson plans. Where to find more information about weather-related learning, including activities on the World Wide Web. The Internet hosts schools programs on weather, air quality and ozone monitoring in Australia and overseas. Where and for how much the instruments in the Weather Kit were purchased. How to make your own weather station. A list of national meteorological organisations in other parts of the world.
	Section 5 - Other resource material
	This sections contains: Observing the Weather, the Bureau's official guide to observing the weather. The Bureau's official field book for meteorological observations. other booklets and information.

As of May 2005, further inquiries about the Weather Kit can be directed to (1) the Department of Education and Training and (2) the Bureau of Meteorology ...

(1) Christine Pinto
Schools Innovation in Teaching Program
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4367
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
tel: (03) 9637 2481
e-mail: pinto.christine.t@edumail.vic.gov.au
website: www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/science/inschools/

(2) Public Affairs Unit
Bureau of Meteorology
Level 6, 700 Collins Street
(GPO Box 1289K)
DOCKLANDS VIC 3008
tel: 9669 4564
fax: 9669 4113
e-mail: pro@bom.gov.au
website: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/weatherkit/index.shtml

The Bureau of Meteorology has three staffed offices in Victoria - Melbourne, Mildura and East Sale.

Public Weather Officer
Victorian Regional Office
Bureau of Meteorology
Level 11, 700 Collins Street
(GPO Box 1636M)
DOCKLANDS VIC 3008
tel: 9669 4943
fax: 9669 4092

Officer in Charge
East Sale Meteorological Office
Bureau of Meteorology
RAAF Base
EAST SALE VIC 3852
tel: 5144 2381
fax: 5144 1845

Officer in Charge
Mildura Meteorological Office
PO Box 5002
MILDURA VIC 3502
tel: 5023 3404
fax: 5021 4017