Jacksonville Country Day School second graders recently received an exciting visit from Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh as part of their cross-curricular study on weather. Since the start of the school year, students have explored how the study of weather connects to both science and math, culminating in this hands-on learning experience with a local expert.
Buresh led students through a series of engaging demonstrations designed to bring classroom concepts to life. In one experiment, he recreated the principles behind lightning using Rice Krispies and friction, by rubbing a wool cloth over plexiglass to create static energy that made the cereal jump and crackle like a storm.
“Seeing these weather phenomena unfold in real time really put the concepts into perspective for the students,” said Deb Landon, JCDS science specialist. “It was a fascinating and memorable way to connect what they’ve been learning in the classroom to the real world.”
The second experiment, called the “Imploding Can,” was a demonstration of atmospheric pressure, which drives weather systems like wind and storms. First, water in aluminum cans was heated to create steam, which pushes the air out. With a student volunteer, the can was quickly placed inverted into cold water, and the steam inside rapidly condensed back into a small amount of liquid. This created a vacuum, and the external air pressure, which was now much greater than the internal pressure, crushed the cans.
“Experiences like today’s visit show students that science isn’t just something in a book; it’s happening all around them,” added Landon. “That sense of discovery gets students truly excited about learning.”
At Jacksonville Country Day School, teachers intentionally design cross-curricular units that spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking and connect learning to the world beyond the classroom. Visits from experts like Buresh are just one way JCDS brings its mission to life: inspiring intellectual exploration and a lifelong love of learning.
