101 Questions
Lightning then Thunder
Conquer your fear of thunder and proportions. After viewing a video of lightning and thunder, scholars consider how far away the storm is from the recorder. This obviously requires the use of proportions and rates.
Teach Engineering
Weather Alert
Every time a bell rings ... there is lightning in the area. The activity provides directions to build a model of a lightning detection system. Similar to a system designed by Benjamin Franklin, the system uses static...
Smarter Balanced
Thunderstorms
Ensure that all class members understand the basic concepts and vocabulary they need to complete a performance task on thunderstorms with an activity that asks them to use a Venn diagram to compare thunderstorms with rainy days.
NASA
Write the Book on Weather Metrics
It's not easy to measure the weather. Pupils learn about what all weather has in common—the atmosphere. Scholars discover how a meteorologists must be able to measure aspects of the atmosphere and decipher the data. They then create a...
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.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: National Center for Atmospheric Research: Severe Weather Storms [Pdf]
Teachers and/or students are given four scientific experiments related to severe weather. Included are making clouds, homemade lightening, tornado in a bottle, and dissecting hailstones. Dramatic photos of severe weather conditions are...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Weather Alert
Students discuss the characteristics of storms, including the relationship of weather fronts and storms. Using simple materials, the students develop a model of a simple lightning detection system and analyze their model to determine its...
NOAA
Noaa: Owlie Skywarns Weather Book [Pdf]
Download and print this free activity book about hurricanes, tornadoes, lightening, floods and winter storms. A quiz section is also included.
Read Works
Read Works: Weather: Air Patterns
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about wind patterns and how they relate to clouds, storms, and lightning. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin: 4 Electricity
A description of several demonstrations for static electricity concepts. The demonstrations utilizing the Telsa coil, Faraday cage, and Van de Graaff generator are ideal for demonstrating electric potential concepts. Suitable for student...