New Weather Website for Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2009

A new University of Illinois Extension website offers a fun, interactive way for fifth through eighth graders to learn about the weather.

"'Tree House Weather Kids' (http://urbanext.illinois.edu/treehouse) helps young people understand such things as why the weather changes, how we predict the weather, and how weather causes great destruction," explained Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist and director of its websites.

Interest in the weather is normal at all ages but youngsters who want to know why things are happening in the skies can get answers at the website.

"Our lives revolve around the weather," she noted. "Working in the garden, painting the house, playing baseball or spending a day at the park all depend on the weather."

The website includes sections on seasons and temperatures, air pressure and wind, clouds and moisture, and "Rock 'n Roll Weather." The latter section deals with tornadoes.

Scherer noted that there is also a teacher's guide for those wishing to incorporate the website and its information into the classroom.

The website was developed by Duane Friend, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management, and Greg Stack, Extension Educator, Horticulture.