Weather and Climate Science Education for Grades 3–12, livre ebook

What’s the weather today? People are interested in the weather so they can plan their day, determine what they should wear, if they should venture outside, when and where to vacation, and many other tasks. Gardeners and farmers need to understand both weather and climate to decide what and where to plant, and how best to take care of their animals. Homeowners also need to understand typical climate conditions, allowing them to determine which flowers and shrubs to plant on their properties. It also tells them what kind of insulation, furnace, and air conditioner to install. And when stormy weather is predicted, people need to be prepared. It is important that they know how to be safe in dangerous weather.

The first level of Weather and Climate Science Education for Grades 3–12 introduces basic weather words and ideas. These activities focus on understanding the weather around you. Readers will also begin to learn the difference between weather and climate, and how these ideas are related. The second level introduces readers to more complex weather topics. They will learn about air pressure, winds, humidity, and fronts. The third level delves more deeply into weather and climate science. This level will help prepare readers to understand weather all through their lifetimes. The final section, the Facilitator’s Guide, provides answers to the youth activities as well as information about Next Generation Science Standards.

Level 1
Note to the 4-H Member
Comparing Climates
Country of Colors
Defining Weather Words
Earth’s Surfaces
H2O
Invisible Air
Reading About Wild Weather
’Tis the Season
Watching the Wind
Weather Affects Plans
Weather Alerts
Weather or Climate?
Where Is the Heat?
Glossary
Level 2
Note the 4-H Member
Air Pressure
Carbon Footprints
Cloud Formation
Cloud Types
Cold Fronts
Earth’s Rotation
Global Winds
The Greenhouse Effect
Humidity
Hurricanes
Making Weather Instruments
Mini-Tornado
Out of the Dust
Seasons
Using Weather Instruments to Collect Data
Glossary
Appendix
Photo and Graphic Credits
Level 3
Weather
Note the 4-H Member
Air Masses and Fronts
Isaac’s Storm
Monitoring Weather
Pressure Systems
Weather Station Models
Weather in the Troposphere
Windchill and Heat Index
Climate
Climate and Climographs
Drought Monitoring
Energy in the Atmosphere
Earth’s Energy Balance
Impact of Climate Change
Investigating Climate Change
The Sun–Earth Relationship
Sunspot Cycle
Volcanoes and Global Warming
Glossary
Photo and Graphic Credits
Facilitator’s Guide
Note to Project Facilitator
Learning Goals
Life Skills
The Experiential Learning Model
Youth Development Stages
Positive Impact
Activity Facilitation and Answers: Level 1
Comparing Climates
Country of Colors
Defining Weather Words
Earth’s Surfaces
H2O
Invisible Air
Reading About Wild Weather
’Tis the Season
Watching the Wind
Weather Affects Plans
Weather Alerts
Weather or Climate?
Where Is the Heat?
Activity Facilitation and Answers: Level 2
Air Pressure
Carbon Footprints
Cloud Formation
Cloud Types
Cold Fronts
Earth’s Rotation
Global Winds
Greenhouse Effect
Humidity
Hurricanes
Making Weather Instruments
Mini-Tornado
Out of the Dust
Seasons
Using Weather Instruments to Collect Data
Activity Facilitation and Answers: Level 3
Weather
Air Masses and Fronts
Isaac’s Storm
Monitoring Weather
Pressure Systems
Weather Station Models
Weather in the Troposphere
Windchill and Heat Index
Climate
Climate and Climographs
Drought Monitoring
Energy in the Atmosphere
Earth’s Energy Balance
Impacts of Climate Change
Investigating Climate Change
The Sun–Earth Relationship
Sunspot Cycle
Volcanoes and Global Warming
Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
About the Authors