Hey there! Today, we’re going on an exciting journey to learn about wind with our friend Squeaks. Squeaks is getting ready for a big trip on an airplane with Jessi, and he’s a bit nervous because he’s never flown before. But don’t worry, learning about how things work can make them less scary!
Wind is simply moving air. Air is all around us, and when it gets hot, it rises. Cooler air then rushes in to take its place, and that’s what we call wind! So, whenever the air heats up or cools down, wind is likely to happen.
As temperatures change from day to night and season to season, they create big wind patterns. One of these patterns is called the jet stream. The jet stream is a strong wind that moves across North America. It can even affect airplanes! If a plane flies in the same direction as the jet stream, it might go faster. But if it flies against it, the plane might slow down.
You’ve probably felt wind when playing outside. These winds are smaller than the jet stream but work the same way. When one part of the air moves, more air rushes in to replace it, creating wind.
Wind can change the shape of the land over time. It can wear down mountains and create cool shapes like sand dunes. This process is called erosion. Wind can also move clouds and rain, and even help us travel faster!
Weather scientists, called meteorologists, predict how much wind there will be. This helps people, like pilots, plan their trips. Pilots need to know if the wind will make them fly faster or slower.
Wind is pretty amazing, isn’t it? It can change landscapes, move weather, and help us travel. And guess what? Squeaks is feeling much better about his trip now that he knows more about wind!
Thanks for joining us on this windy adventure. If you have more questions, you can ask a grown-up to help you reach out to SciShow Kids. See you next time!
Make Your Own Wind: Gather some lightweight materials like feathers, leaves, or small pieces of paper. Go outside on a windy day and observe how these items move with the wind. Try blowing on them gently to see how you can create your own wind. Discuss with a friend or family member what you notice about how the wind affects different objects. Can you make predictions about which items will move the fastest or slowest?
Windy Art: Create a piece of art using the wind! Take a piece of paper and some paint or markers. Drop a few spots of paint on the paper and then use a straw to blow the paint around, mimicking the wind. Watch how the colors mix and move. Talk about how the wind can change the way things look, just like it changes the land over time.
Observe the Wind: Spend some time outside and feel the wind on your face. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds the wind makes. Can you hear it rustling the leaves or whistling through the trees? Write down or draw what you hear and feel. Think about how the wind might be different on a hot day compared to a cool day. Share your observations with someone and discuss how the wind changes with the weather.
