A scientific observation I made recently involved precipitation, which was hydroplaning. This process occurs when a motor vehicle slides uncontrollably on a wet surface of the road, usually due to rain. Not only are the roads more slippery when it is raining, but if a car's tires are in contact with a film of water above the road, it can cause the vehicle to slip and slide, potentially causing an accident. Although this is not an environmental issue, I consider it a "natural safety" issue, and find it important for students to learn about the dangers of it.
I observed this a few weeks ago. Driving home to my hometown of Portage, WI from WI Dells, it began to rain heavily. As I traveled further down the highway, I witnessed one road slide off the road onto the shoulder, and another that was already on the side of the road with its hazards on. As the rain began to fall harder, I slowed down slightly, but seeing what happened to these two cars, I slowed down significantly. Usually the type of precipitation that people associate with driving with caution, but conditions can be just as dangerous in the rain. As a result, I believe this is an area of environmental education that needs to be taught to students.
Going through school, the only time I recall discussing the process of hydroplaning is during driver's education class. I really feel I can educate my students on natural processes such as these that will really help them. Although I will most likely teaching at the elementary level, where students will not be able to drive yet, I still feel it is relevant to their lives. Many times students of all ages will ask, "When will I ever have to use this?" when in school. While students will use many concepts later in life, such as in subjects like math and English, I feel it is equally important to teach them concepts in environmental education as well.
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