October is here, and that means cooler nights, spooky fun, and plenty of science to discover right here in Long Beach! From the warm Santa Ana winds to the glowing Hunter’s Moon, nature is full of fascinating changes this month. And since it wouldn’t be October without a little Halloween spirit, we’ve included some fun (and slightly spooky!) STEM activities you can try at home.
Santa Ana Winds
Did you know? The Santa Ana Winds happen in the fall when air rushes from high-pressure areas to low-pressure ones, creating hot, super dry winds in SoCal!
More facts about the Santa Ana Winds: https://kids.kiddle.co/Santa_Ana_winds
Hunter’s Moon
Stargazing in early autumn can be a little challenging for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Bright, beautiful full moons often outshine the stars, planets, and even the Milky Way during this season. But if you enjoy watching the moon, it’s the perfect time to look up and take in its glow.
More facts about Hunter’s Moon: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/hunters-moon
Bats in Los Angeles
Bats live in the Los Angeles area and help control insect populations making them an important part of our ecosystem. They can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.
Learn more about bats: https://nhm.org/stories/la-bats-under-overpass
Spooky science experiment: Make glowing oobleck
