Coriolis Effect Teacher Resources

Why do big storms spin as they travel? As Earth spins, the movement of air and water change. Viewers observe the Coriolis effect on paper airplanes, water, and even hurricanes—and find the effect is everywhere!

It turns out there's a lot more to heading south for the winter for migratory birds! Study the Coriolis Effect with a fun, hands-on teaching tool. Pupils take to the skies as a small red bird bound for the tropics from his frosty home at...

Blow your class away with a gust of humor as they watch this video about air pressure and wind. Along the way, they find that the density of air (as determined by temperature, altitude, and water vapor content) leads to air pressure...

Convection is offered as the reason behind our weather phenomena. This presentation assumes that viewers are familiar with the methods of heat transfer, and is therefore more geared toward middle-school meteorologists. The focus is on...

How does the formation of currents and waves in the ocean happen? High schoolers will learn about the primary causes for ocean currents and waves by calculating a wave's amplitude and nautical mile speed. Then they will complete a...

Young scholars use pencil and paper to explore the Coriolis effect and how the Earth's rotation causes global wind patterns.

Test your class' coordination as they model the Coriolis Effect. Forming a large circle, learners move to the right as they try to toss a ball to the person across from them. The movement of the circle represents the rotation of the...

High schoolers examine the Coriolis Effect and its effects on the different hemispheres.  In this Earth science lesson students divide into groups to  they make predictions. High schoolers then complete an activity to explore...

Fifth graders investigate how pressure differences create wind. They discuss the Coriolis effect, then explore what happens when blown-up balloons are released.

Here is a fascinating topic: the upwelling of ocean waters. Oceanography pupils learn what mechanisms cause upwelling, types of upwelling, and the effects on marine life. Colorful satellite imagery and informative diagrams bring this...

Which way does your toilet water flow? A lesson in the Verisatium playlist explores the Coriolis Effect by examining the flow of water in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The team designs an experiment to control for all...

Middle school earth scientists describe the behavior of the Coriolis force. They compare and contrast conditions under which the Coriolis force has a significant impact with conditions under which it has very little. They model the...

Young scholars investigate surface ocean currents. In this oceanography lesson, students work in small groups to create models that demonstrate surface currents, the Coriolis Effect, and how surface currents move debris. This lesson...

Throughout this earth science exam, high-school geologists complete a series of multiple choice and short answer questions about the solar system, atmosphere, and earth system. This is an amazing test, as are all of the exams developed...

Man has dreamed of outer space travel for hundreds of years...but, what about inner-Earth travel? Could it work? Young scientists explore the notion of jumping into a hole through Earth and the factors that affect the journey, such as...

The Gulf Stream has historically provided humans with a faster trade route because of its swift-moving waters. It continues to be a source of information and fascination for oceanographers today. As your class views this collection of...

Ocean lovers hang ten as they watch this film about waves and currents. What causes waves? What is a current? Learn this and more from Sam as he explains why RJ was struggling to surf the gnarly waves. Have your class watch this at home...

Young scholars are given a visual demonstration of the Coriolis Force in the Northern Hemisphere. They are encouraged to find locations around the globe and try to predict what the weather circulation patterns might be like.

Go with the flow! The eighth installment in a 13-part series has earth science students dive in to the world's system of ocean currents. The interactive illustrates the different types and depths of currents, how wind and gravity...

In this air pressure and wind worksheet, students answer fifteen questions about how air pressure is measured, what it is, the reasons for changes in air pressure and the weather as air pressure changes. They also answer questions about...

Students locate the Trade Winds, Westerlies and Polar Easterlies on a map, explain the impact of the rotation of the Earth, and plot a route for a round trip voyage from New York to London.

Students will determine the direction of Earth's rotation as viewed from the north and south if they were suspended out in space. They will model how the rotation of the Earth causes currents to be deflected in different directions for...

In this currents worksheet, students review the Coriolis effect, surface currents, and density currents. This worksheet has 8 short answer questions.