Meteors are visible every clear night of the year. During meteor showers, up to one meteor appears every minute. The space dust that causes meteors is thought to be the remains of comets. As the Earth passes through this dust, gravity pulls some of the particles toward Earth at high speed. When they strike the atmosphere, friction causes the particles to vaporize and we see sudden streaks of light.
Meteors showers are predictable, seasonal events.
Students could check newspapers to find the dates of the next shower. Interested parents can become involved in listening with their children after dark.