Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Does Air Really Exist?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Given a teacher demonstration and various learning stations, the students learn that air is a real substance which occupies space, exerts pressure, and has weight.
Handout
University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Surface Features to Consider When Forecasting

For Students 9th - 10th
This site looks at the important surface features to consider when making a forecast. High pressure and atmospheric pressure is explained. Be sure to use the arrows at the bottom to navigate through this site.
Handout
USA Today

Usa Today: What's Happening Inside Highs and Lows

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive media is used to explain the differences between high pressure and low pressure weather systems.
Activity
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute Online: Make Your Own Barometer

For Students 3rd - 8th
At this site from the Franklin Institute Online, you are given instructions how to make a simple barometer as part of an activity in which you make a weather station for observation.
Handout
Other

Chemical Reax/exothermic Reactions

For Students 9th - 10th
A wonderfully complete primer on exothermic reactions in the context of chemical spills. Covers Reactions with Air or Water, Combustible Organics, Polymerization Reax, Decomposition, Corrosion, and much much more.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: How Does a Wind Meter Work?

For Students 3rd - 5th
On a windy day it is hard to keep your hat on. The power of the wind can even be strong enough to power large wind turbines to make electricity. In this experiment, find out how you can make your own instrument to measure the speed and...
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Local and Regional Wind Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about regional and local wind systems, including information on changes in atmospheric pressure, thermal energy in the atmosphere, sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes, and monsoon winds.
Activity
Other

Steve Spangler Science: Shrink Wrap Science

For Students 3rd - 8th
This resource demonstrates shrink wrap science.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: I'm So Crushed

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
In this activity, students will have an opportunity to solve a mystery. They will discover why a soda can collapses during a demonstration due to the effects of changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. Students will gain further...
Handout
University of Oregon

University of Oregon: Coriolis Effect

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Oregon provides a great explanation of the Coriolis Effect and then gives several chart type examples to help the understanding of it.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes exhaustive information and a wealth of activities pertaining to aerodynamics and the physics of flight.
Unit Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Introduction to Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Earth's climate, with explanations about the difference between weather and climate, dendrochronology, palynology, and how Earth's climate has changed over time. All information is reinforced through pictures,...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Weather Basics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Weather Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
Website
Oklahoma Mesonet

University of Oklahoma: Overview of Meteorology

For Students 9th - 10th
The University of Oklahoma explores numerous types of weather and atmospheric changes, as well as the reasons behind them. Content details the four seasons, common meteorological variables, the vertical structure of the atmosphere, how...
Website
University of Wisconsin

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences: Surface Weather Analysis

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the use of synoptic weather analysis in preparing weather maps and forecasting. Discusses the use of symbols as well.
Unit Plan
OpenStax

Open Stax: Requirements for Human Life

For Students 9th - 10th
Earth and its atmosphere have provided us with air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat, but these are not the only requirements for survival. Although you may rarely think about it, you also cannot live outside of a certain range...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Lesson: Weather and Wind

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
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...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Weather Front

For Students 9th - 10th
This Wikipedia site tells all about weather fronts, or boundaries between two air masses with differing characteristics. Includes many hyperlinked terms to additional information on related subjects.
Article
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Wind

For Students 3rd - 8th
Wind is air moving from a place that has higher pressure to one that has lower pressure. Sometimes wind is just a light breeze and other times it is strong enough to blow the roofs off buildings.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Rocket Me Into Space

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
One of the exciting challenges for engineers is the idea of exploration. This instructional activity looks more closely at Spaceman Rohan, Spacewoman Tess, their daughter Maya, and their challenges with getting to space, setting up...
Activity
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Build Your Own Weather Station

For Students 9th - 10th
Students are guided in how to build their own weather station that will measure temperature, humidity, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, and wind direction and speed.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix Series: Gas Mixture and Molecular Speeds

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Hike to the top of Mt. Everest and observe what happens to the amount of molecules pushing down on the surface of the Earth. After the activity, answer one challenge question about the topic.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Barometer in a Bottle

For Students K - 1st
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how to build your own barometer.