Curated OER
Weather Dude: Thunder and Lightning
Weather site highlights the severe weather occurrences of thunder and lightning. Click on the link to hear a music clip.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Thunder and Lightning
Lightning is the most spectacular element of a thunderstorm. Learn how lightning forms, and how lightning leads to thunder.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Static Electricity Thunder and Lightning
An activity where learners simulate the creation of thunder and lightning using simple materials, and learn how static electricity can produce sound.
Other
Kidstorm: Lightning
Learn about lightning formation and lightning safety with this detailed webpage.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: 7.rp Thunder and Lightning
Alyssa sees a lightning bolt in the sky and counts four seconds until she hears the thunder. Aligns with 7.RP.A.
NOAA
Noaa: National Weather Service: Jet Stream Online School for Weather: Lightning
The National Weather Service presents this comprehensive site on lightning. Learn how lightning is created, what makes the sound of thunder, and ways to be safe during a storm. Learning lessons, frequently asked questions, and review...
NOAA
Noaa: Nssl: Questions and Answers About Lightning
Find out the causes of lightning, the strikes of lightning, the flashes, safety, and damage. Great place to have your questions about lightning answered.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Learning Zone
This comprehensive, interactive site is loaded with information, activities, and stories about thunderstorms, lightning, and tornadoes. Find out how these weather systems are formed, how they impact our lives, and how they cause chaos.
Dan Satterfield
Dan's Wild Weather Page: Lightning
Learn facts and statistics about the weather phenomenon of lightning. This illustrated article also includes a lightning experiment and safety tips.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Cambodian Myth of Lightning, Thunder, and Rain
Prumsodun Ok tells this empowering tale that still enlightens our world today, "Moni Mekhala Ream Eyso" the most sacred dance drama in Cambodia.
Other
Nlsi: Lightning's Social and Economic Costs
Scholarly article which discusses the cost of lightning and thunderstorms. Provides information about the economic cost and a personal cost, as well as discusses what one can do to prevent or limit the costs of lightning.
BBC
Bbc: Week of 5 19 14:template Solar Wind 'Triggers Lightning on Earth'
Scientists have learned that when gusts of high-speed solar particles enter our atmosphere, the number of lightning bolts increases. Learn more about how this phenonemon works.
Other
Physics.org: Lightning Has Energy to Toast 100,000 Slices of Bread
A beginner's guide to understanding what causes lightning in a thunderstorm. Highlights the major ideas while giving fun, interesting facts.
McREL International
Mc Rel: Thunder Clouds [Pdf]
A worksheet regarding rain, clouds, thunder and lightening.
Dan Satterfield
Lightning: The Shocking Statistics
This informative article provides statistics on lightning strikes, common sense suggestions on the dos and don'ts if lightning is in the area, and links to more sites dealing with lightning.
Other
K 3 Learning Pages: Web Resources Thunderstorms
Check out this comprehensive list of web resources on thunderstorms and safety. Students and teachers will benefit from the links found on this site.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Looking at Lightning
An introduction to the science behind lightning, its causes, and effects. If you follow links, there are also pages on the medical risks associated with getting struck by lightning.
Other
Lightning Protection Institute
This page was designed for your safety. It will give you a better understanding of lightning and how you can keep yourself safe.
NASA
Lightning & Atmospheric Electricity Research at the Ghcc
This is the homepage for the Global Hydrology and Climate Center's Lightning Team. On this site, you will data from the Lightning Team's experiments; documents, reports, press releases, and an assortment of other information related to...
Read Works
Read Works: Don't Ride the Lightning
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a teen who was struck by lightning while listening to an MP3 player. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Weather & Climate: Lightning
Explains what lightning is, how it is created, what happens inside thunderstorms, how lightning develops during a storm, types of lightning, how individuals and groups can stay safe, chances of being struck by lightning, and answers to...
Read Works
Read Works: When Lightning Strikes
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read lightning: what causes it, when it is seen, and how to stay safe during a lightning storm. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in author's purpose.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Lightning
In this interactive tutorial students will explore what is the cause and mechanism associated with lightning strikes, They will investiage how lightning rods serve to protect buildings from the devastating effects of a lightning strikes....
NASA
Sci Jinks: A Brief History of Lightning Detection
When was the very first lightning bolt detection device used? Find out and discover the evolution of the process.