Curated OER
Weather, Migrations, and Plants
Young scholars research the effects of day-to-day weather on animal migrations, plant growth and other seasonal events. They consult maps, observe and record local conditions, keep journals and use their collected data check hypotheses.
Curated OER
Atmospheric Cells
Students recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat from...
Curated OER
Airplane Propeller
Students examine the different kinds of propellers and their functions. In this airplane activity students build a hand made propeller.
Curated OER
Tree Friends
Students are introduced to tree structure and use. They identify their special tree using all senses except sight. Students identify six different internal parts within a cross section of tree trunk (bark, phloem, xylem, cambium,...
Curated OER
Introducing The Gulf Stream
Sixth graders research the average temperatures of different places on Earth. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders explain how the sun's heat cause ocean movement. They discuss how temperature change affects the weather we experience.
Curated OER
Earth's Weather
Seventh graders learn how solar radiation, latitude, and other factors affect weather. They break into six groups and are assigned a topic to research and to present their findings orally.
Curated OER
Gotta Have Energy
Students explore energy. They discuss the types and uses of energy and research an assigned energy source. They create a "benefits versus potential environmental impacts" chart that lists energy sources and possible impacts. They...
Curated OER
Cold Front Characteristics
Students study the weather conditions before, during, and after cold front passage. Two cold front examples are provided so that comparisons can be made. They are divided in two large groups. Each group studies a different cold front case.
Curated OER
Build Your Own Weather Station
Studens experiment with temperatures. In this science instructional activity, students make their own weather station by heating one bottle and keeping the water in another bottle at room temperature.
Curated OER
Geographic Effects on Precipitation, Water Vapor and Temperature
Students investigate the factors affecting climate using Live Access Server. In this geography lesson, students graph atmospheric data using Excel spreadsheet. They compare and contrast temperature, precipitation and water vapor of two...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Harnessing Wind
This lesson introduces the ways that engineers study and harness the wind. Students will learn about the different kinds of winds and how to measure wind direction. In addition, students will learn how air pressure creates winds and how...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Measuring Wind Speed
Fourth graders measure wind speed over the course of a week and graph the results.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Experiments With Air and the Pressure Air Exerts
In this indoor or outdoor lab, students listen to the book Let's Try it Out in the Air. Then they have an opportunity to try the air experiments suggested in the book and write in an observation journal.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Lesson: Weather and Wind
Here's an engaging activity to incorporate dance into your science lessons on weather! Students study wind, and various weather patterns, then create their own dance to illustrate what they have learned. Provides links to more...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: The Properties of Air
Lesson plan to teach properties of air. Pupils use balloons, plastic bottles, plastic bags and a meter stick to conclude that air is a gas that has weight, exerts pressure, and moves.
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Ciese Real Time Data Projects: Weather Scope: A Study of Weather and Climate
Use real-time data to study factors that affect weather and climate, create weather instruments, and share data with students around the world.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Weather Basics
Students are introduced to the basics of the Earth's weather. Concepts include fundamental causes of common weather phenomena such as temperature changes, wind, clouds, rain and snow. The different factors that affect the weather and the...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Weather Maps
This site provides a lesson plan in which groups of students will each investigate a different type of weather map use for weather forecasting. Also includes discussion questions, extension ideas, and links to additional sites for more...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Stormy Skies
Students learn that wind and storms can form at the boundaries of interacting high and low pressure air masses. They learn the distinguishing features of the four main types of weather fronts (warm fronts, cold fronts, stationary fronts...