Geography field trip

Geography Field Trip to Changi Airport:

On the fifteen of March, our Geography teacher brought us to changi airport to learn more about the

work of a meteorologist. After some talk and discussion between the person-in-charge and him, we were on our way to the MET office to observe how they work. We split our roles among our group members before setting off.

The trip inside the office started off with a briefing about what MET is all about. We learnt that MET is responsible for monitoring the weather conditions in Singapore, to monitor the haze in Singapore and also to record and document the climate change in Singapore. Through a powerpoint presentation, we also learnt tha processes taken by the MET to collect data about the climate. The first step is data collection. This is done by various satellites to capture the pictures of the earth to check to weather. Next, the data is processed and analysed in computers by the staff working in MET. Lastly, it is delivered to different areas like tourism and recreation, agriculture, transport,etc as these weather may affect them. We also learnt about another place called the Upper Air Observatory (UAO). At this place, balloons carrying machines to collect the data are released into the sky. These observation data are used for charting, forecasting, climatological data collection and research. When the balloons reach a certain height, it would burst and no more data would be collected. Then, the observers would know to take the previous reading. The process is carried out twice everyday, 0730 and 1800. Next, I was introduced to another instrument which I had never seen before --- the weather radar. It is a very large intrument that stands above ground with legs. On the top, there is a sphereical object. After some answering from the forecaster, I was amazed that the spherical object actually had a diameter of 8 meters! The presenter than showed us an amazing video. It was a video on a very big storm that happened in 2001. This is a very rare storm that only happens once in every 100-400 years! The storm was travelling from the sea towards Singapore. The storm behaved like a typhoon as it had an eye. However, once it reached shore, the storm started to die down. After a Q&A session with the forecaster, we realised that the storm needed alot of moisture for it ti sustain. Therefore, when it reached shore, it lost much of its moisture and started to die down. Lastly, the presenter also showed us a video on how we should prevent being electrocuted during a thunderstorm.

After the presentation, the person-in-charge brought us around to see the various equipments used by them to collect data. Firstly, we saw a barograph which records pressure. Next, we saw a rain guage. It was very advanced and unlike those we see in school. I even saw a sunshine recorder for the first time. It looked like a really large marble with a piece of paper under it. Moving on, we saw many different graphs for many different things, like a telphi graph and a regional wave model. Lastly, we held an Q&A session with the forecaster, with him answering all queries we had.

What I have learnt:

From this field trip, I have learnt much more about insruments that collect weather data as well as more of what MET does for Singapore. Not only that, I have learnt various life skills like how to prevent myself from being electrocuted in a thunder storm. When the sky turns grey, it is best to hurry or find shelter as a thunder storm is approaching. When it starts to pour, do not seek shelter under a tall, isolated tree as you may ge shocked too. Instead, find shelter under small clumps of trees. Also, stop swimming or carry out any activities during a thunderstorm. Do not use any electrical appliances as well, especially telephones with cords. When your hairs stand up, a lightning might be about to hit you. Immediately crouch down on the balls of your feet and try to make yourself as small as possible, like curling into a ball or something.