Lightning Teacher Resources

See a picture of the lightning rod Benjamin Franklin used in 1746 and learn about his discovery of electricity.

Learn about in-cloud lightening and its implications for severe weather with this video. [2:51]

Learn about lightning formation and lightning safety with this detailed webpage.

Learn facts and statistics about the weather phenomenon of lightning. This illustrated article also includes a lightning experiment and safety tips.

An introduction to the science behind lightning, its causes, and effects. If you follow links, there are also pages on the medical risks associated with getting struck by lightning.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a teen who was struck by lightning while listening to an MP3 player. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

Explains what lightning is, how it is created, what happens inside thunderstorms, how lightning develops during a storm, types of lightning, how individuals and groups can stay safe, chances of being struck by lightning, and answers to...

When was the very first lightning bolt detection device used? Find out and discover the evolution of the process.

[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.

This page was designed for your safety. It will give you a better understanding of lightning and how you can keep yourself safe.

In this interactive tutorial students will explore what is the cause and mechanism associated with lightning strikes, They will investiage how lightning rods serve to protect buildings from the devastating effects of a lightning strikes....

This page contains an in-depth document on the formation of thunderstorms and lightning. You can link to photos of lightning.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about lightning and how to stay safe when it strikes. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the positive and negative effects of fire caused by lightning. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

This is the homepage for the Global Hydrology and Climate Center's Lightning Team. On this site, you will data from the Lightning Team's experiments; documents, reports, press releases, and an assortment of other information related to...

This lesson plan allows students can create static electricity and compare it to lightning.

Lightning is a beautiful natural phenomenon, but it is also deadly. Learn how lightning occurs and how to protect yourself from it. [2:38]

This website provides a variety of resources to help you stay safe from lightning.

Hair strands can be used as the basis for a hygrometer, a device which measures the humidity level in the air. The goal of this project is to determine whether chemical lightening treatments affect the natural elasticity of human hair.

In this elementary science activity, students will experiment with static electricity using balloons. After investigating how balloons attract and repel various objects, students will watch a simulation of static electricity to help gain...

Weather site for kids provides information as to how lightning impacts our lives. Discover lightning safety tips, how to tell how far away a storm is, how lightning forms as well as read an amazing story about ball lightning.

Compare and contrast different types of lightning bolts. A substantial amount of information is provided here including pictures with descriptions for each type of lightning bolt. NOTE: The interactive is no longer available; Click on...

Lightning is the most spectacular element of a thunderstorm. Learn how lightning forms, and how lightning leads to thunder.

Experience the acoustical shadow caused by a lightning bolt, and discover the dangers of a lightning storm.