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Finding Magic
in weather
Ms. Frizzle's class has taken up residence at The Children's Discovery Center, allowing children to climb aboard The Magic School Bus and learn all about the wonderful world of weather.
The Magic School BusWhere: The Children's Discovery Center, 111 Ohe St.Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 30, 2005. Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day Admission: Free with museum admission of $8 for adults; $6.75 for ages 2 to 17; $5 for seniors over 62, with a photo ID; and free for children under 2 Call: 524-5437
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At the exhibition's grand opening earlier this month, meteorologists from the National Weather Service met with the kids to answer their weather questions. Sorry, but when it comes to knowing where rain and winds come from, most parents are no help at all.
The meteorologists demonstrated a "crushing cans with air" experiment using soda cans, heat and cold. Children can also watch them create "a cloud in a bottle." The meteorologists will also be giving their demonstrations tomorrow, plus Dec. 18 and 23.
Ms. Frizzle and her sidekick, Liz, greeted young scientists, encouraging them to grab a clipboard, write about the current conditions and then make their way to the Walkerville Weather Center to make a live televised report. A fill-in-the-blank form pertaining to thunderstorms made it easy -- they could just read the script they helped to create. The kids seemed to get a kick out of seeing themselves on television.
Kids could also check out Ms. Frizzle's Weather Bureau and explore a variety of climatic regions and see how people adapt to them while learning how weather influences decisions about clothing, shelter, work and even play, said Loretta Yajima of the Children's Discovery Center.
Alexis Huff, 6, does a weather report at the "Magic School Bus" exhibit.
Naturally, moms and dads often learned just as much as the kids, added Yajima, who said it's helpful to explain nature's conditions, especially in cases when thunder and lightning frightens them. Knowing what is happening makes them less fearful, she said, and parents "don't have to make up stories, like how the clouds are bumping into each other."
"I'm glad they are bringing in something different every so often," said Sarah Dupio, who was visiting the center with her husband, Sergio, 13-year-old son Spencer and 4-year-old daughter Samantha. "Our kids are getting the same experiences as mainland children who have so much to see."
Kim Harris from Los Angeles brought her 3-1/2-year-old twin daughters to meet Ms. Frizzle. The Harris family visits the Children's Discovery Center each time they are in Hawaii.
"It's a good exhibit that appeals to all ages," said Harris, who has performed weather experiments at home. "There are places to feel temperatures for the younger kids. Kids who can read and write can do weather reporting."
On her first visit to the museum, 9-year-old Kristyn Sakamoto learned about the presence of air pressure, even though it can't be seen. "And I did a weather report," she said with pride.
The exhibit is bilingual -- English and Spanish -- and is designed for children ages 5 to 12, their families, caregivers and schools. "We have a predominately Asian population, but we have seen an increase in Spanish-speaking visitors," Yajima said.
There's a new weather exhibit in town and it features Mrs. Frizzle and her reptilian sidekick "Liz." Three-year-old Lima Harbottle, who carries his dad's name, tries out an air blaster with his pops.
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