Students doing an interactive activity with the guest speaker from NOAA.

Every spring fifth graders in Buncombe County Schools dive into a science unit on weather. Black Mountain Elementary (BME) brings the lessons to life with a guest speaker who knows all too well about weather and how it works. 

Carl Schreck works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and for five years now he has shared his knowledge with BME students. This year Mr. Schreck spoke about weather, climate, and how scientists study weather with different tools. 

“This experience is always special for us each year,” said fifth grade teacher Melissa Angel. “Students see firsthand the career paths that science can take, as well as learn from a professional about the Earth’s weather patterns. Meeting a scientist is exciting for students, and makes their learning more authentic and meaningful. I hope from this experience that some students are inspired to pursue a science related career.”

Students learning from scientist from NOAA.