Explore a winter destination in December! Share with your kids how birds help to keep us warm.
Only managed a “Stay-cay” in June and now thinking of a destination for the family to travel in December? Wouldn’t it be great to visit a winter destination where it snows?
Well, many countries do experience winter in December, unlike other parts of the world. Seasonal variations between different parts of Earth occur because the Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle. As a result, different parts of Earth point towards or away from the Sun at different times of the year, creating seasons.
From December to February, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. Countries located in the Northern Hemisphere, such as the United States, Canada, and much of Europe, receive little solar energy from the Sun and thus experience winter. At the same time, the Southern Hemisphere gets more of the Sun’s direct rays as the South Pole is tilted towards the Sun, creating summer.
From June to August, the opposite occurs. The Northern Hemisphere experiences summer as the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun and the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away.
For a memorable holiday, consider exploring the snowy landscapes, festive markets, and cozy traditions of Northern Hemisphere destinations. Whether it’s skiing in the Swiss Alps, enjoying a snowy Christmas in New York, or marveling at the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, there’s a winter adventure waiting for you.
However, countries near the equator, such as Singapore, experience little seasonal variation and is hot all year round as the amount of light received throughout the year is relatively constant.
If your child is keen to learn more about how seasons occur at different geographical locations, this learning resource gives quite a good read.
Where to find snow?
Understanding what is Down?
As Singapore is all year summer and hot, buying a new winter jacket for the cold destination is a must do before travelling. People often wear down jackets to keep themselves warm during winter.
“Mummy, why is the jacket called down and not up?” a curious kid might ask.
Down jackets are insulated with bird’s feathers (typically duck or geese). Most of the feathers selected for the fillings of the jackets are called down feathers. They are soft and fluffy, creating many tiny air pockets which trap warm air and retain body heat, thus helping to keeping warm during winter.
Read more about the jacket technology.
P3 MOE Science Lower Block Syllabus: Diversity (Animals)
Birds are a group of animals that is taught in primary school science.
Animals that are classified as birds share the following main characteristics:
have an outer body covering of feathers.
have a beak, a pair of wings and a pair of legs.
all reproduce by laying eggs (hard shell).
P4 MOE Science Lower Block Syllabus: Energy (Heat)
Heat flows from a hotter to a colder region.
Air is a poor conductor of heat. The air trapped between the feathers within the jacket reduces the heat loss from the body to the colder surrounding air. This keeps our body warm.
P6 MOE Science Upper Block Syllabus: Interactions (Adaptations)
Behavioural adaptations are the special ways organisms behave in order to survive.
Structural adaptations are special body parts that enable organisms to survive.
Down feathers are the special structural adaptations that help some birds adapt to the cold weather by trapping air to reduce heat loss. During the long winter, some birds also have behavioural adaptations to fly to places (seasonal migration) where the temperature is warmer and food is more abundant.
Everyday Science with Ace, Bob & Churros
How does the adaptations of the swan help it survive the cold winter?