Apologia: Physical Science Update

The Physical Science class is studying weather.  Today, the class tried to create a spark to simulate lightning and create clouds.  Our classes view the detailed description as a starting point.  Usually, we read the instructions in Dr. .wile's text, try it, and them immediately try different methods.  We could not get a spark at all. Exploratorium's spark activity usually works.  It was pouring outside making things difficult.  The best time to experiment with static electricity is during a dry winter day using wool socks.  Incidentally, the Phys. Sci. experiment is 8.1 with a ballon.  Now, Cloud Formation, Experiment 5.3 was much motored successful.  OK.  It is fine to make a cloud-but are other methods more successful?  A few years ago, Science Camp did several similar weather experiments.  A Could in the Hand is performed in glass jars with ice on the lid.  So the best question is exactly how do clouds form?  Does this activity simulate cloud formation?