Activity #1: Make a tornado
Stuff you need

Make it happen

1. Glue the cup in the center of the piece of wood.

2. Glue one of the vinyl sheets onto one side of the cup. Then glue the rest of the sheet in a half circle around but not touching the cup.

3. Glue the second sheet to the opposite side of the cup. Glue the rest of the sheet in a half circle. The two sheets must overlap, but not touch.

4. Pour about half a cup of water in the cup.

5. Using gloves, place a few small pieces of dry ice in the cup.

6. Quickly place the saucer upside down on the top of the two pieces of vinyl.

7. Turn on the fan and place it in the hole facing up to draw the air up.

8. Watch the tornado spin!

What's happenin'?

This is not completely understood by scientists, but one way the rotation appears to happen is when winds at two different altitudes blow at two different speeds creating wind shear. For example, a wind at 1000 feet above the surface might blow at 5mph and a wind at 5000 feet might blow at 25mph. This causes a horizontal rotating column.

  The rain and hail in the thunderstorm cause
  the funnel to touch down creating a tornado.

8 oz. jar with lid

Water

Vinegar

Clear liquid dish soap

Glitter

Make it happen

1. Fill the jar 3/4 full of water.

2. Put in one teaspoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of dish soap.

3. Sprinkle in a small amount of glitter.

4. Close the lid and twist the jar to see a tornado like a vortex form.