A Sneeze and A Frozen Classroom

No one knew that Arlo’s sneeze could change the weather. But then again, no one had ever tested what happens when you mix ice mint gum, a helium balloon, and a leaky air conditioner. Arlo had done just that — in his lunch break “lab” under the staircase.

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When the class returned after recess, there was frost on the blackboard. Chairs were icy. Miss Mehta’s coffee had turned into a coffee popsicle.

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“Who turned on the North Pole setting?” someone joked.

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Arlo stayed quiet. He hadn’t meant to invent Cold Blast Sneeze 2.0 — a sneeze so powerful, it brought the temperature down 15 degrees.

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Later, when Principal Meera questioned everyone, Arlo confessed.

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“Scientific curiosity,” he shrugged.

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She blinked, sipped her thawing coffee, and whispered, “Next time, test in the backyard.”

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Science Spark: Can temperature change rapidly in small spaces due to sudden bursts of cold air? Learn about convection and air pressure!