Handout
Other

Space Weather Center: Amazing Plasmas

For Students 9th - 10th
You've seen numerous examples of plasma throughout your lifetime and may not have even known. Plasmas are one of the four states of matter and are often present in our atmosphere. Interactive games, photographs and a focused look on this...
Unit Plan
Center for Educational Technologies

Nasa Classroom of the Future: Earth on Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
Information and activities looking at the impact of industrial and agricultural practices on global warming.
Unit Plan
Center for Educational Technologies

Exploring the Environment El Nino: The Child Returns

For Students 9th - 10th
Use remote sensing data and background information to look at regional and global consequences of El Nino. Try working with the 'situation' to test your understanding.
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Earth Science for Kids: Weather Glossary and Terms

For Students 1st - 9th
Explore the concepts of climate, cloud, front, dew, fog, humidity, isobar, supercell, and thunderstorm on this site.
Article
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: A Global Look at Moving Air: Atmospheric Circulation

For Students 3rd - 8th
Even with disruptions like weather fronts and storms, there is a consistent pattern to how air moves around our planet's atmosphere. This pattern, called atmospheric circulation, is caused because the Sun heats the Earth more at the...
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,...
Handout
Oklahoma Mesonet

Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Heat Transfer

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey of the thermal factors effecting the movement of air masses in the atmosphere. Numerous topics such as methods of heat transfer, latent heat, phase changes (including sublimation and...
Article
National Weather Service

National Weather Service: Jet Stream: The Jet Stream

For Students 9th - 10th
The concept of jet streams is explained on this site. Read about why jet stream winds blow from west to east, what the polar jet and subtropical jet are, the role that the rotation of the Earth plays, etc.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: National Climatic Data Center: Groundhog Day

For Students 3rd - 8th
Find background about Groundhog Day and the folklore involved. Look through the charts that show how closely Punxsutawney Phil's predicitions align with the actual weather.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Make Your Own Psychrometer

For Students 3rd - 8th
From the name, you might guess that a psychrometer is an instrument designed to measure your thoughts. Actually, it is an instrument that can help you forecast the weather. Read more to find out how it works.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Dry Spells, Wet Spells: How Common Are They?

For Students 6th - 8th
Here's a project that looks at what the weather was like for over a hundred years. The goal of the project is to compare long-term precipitation patterns in different regions of the country. You will work with historical climate data,...
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
Other

Met Office: Science: Creating Forecasts

For Students 9th - 10th
Modern weather forecasting applies scientific knowledge to predict future atmospheric conditions across the globe from observations of the current state, made from land; at sea; in the air, and from space. Take a look at how scientists...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Distorted Disturbances

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students pass around and distort messages written on index cards to learn how we use signals from GPS occultations to study the atmosphere. The cards represent information sent from GPS satellites being distorted as they pass through...
Unit Plan
Other

Lehigh University: Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 8th
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on weather and climate. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about Earth system energy balance, greenhouse gases, paleoclimatology, and how...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Air Pollution

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the concept of air quality by investigating the composition, properties, atmospheric layers and everyday importance of air. They explore the sources and effects of visible and invisible air pollution. By...
Website
National Earth Science Teachers Association

Windows to the Universe: Hail

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a paragraph about the formation of hail.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: National Weather Service

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Weather Service presents this site which explains the operations of the NWS. Learn about the Weather Forcast Offices, the River Forcast Office, NOAA Weather Radio, and more, including Career opportunities with the NWS.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Sunrise, Sunset: Weather Match

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine the relationship between temperature and light intensity. They use a Temperature Sensor and a Light Intensity Sensor to collect temperature and light intensity data for a period of 24 hours. They understand the effect...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Good News We're on the Rise!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students build and observe a simple aneroid barometer to learn about changes in barometric pressure and weather forecasting.
Website
Weather Wiz Kids

Weather Wiz Kids: Clouds

For Students 6th - 8th
Meet the different kinds of clouds found in our atmosphere! Included are answers to why clouds are white, why they turn gray, what is fog, cloud chart, links to cloud lesson plans, and more!
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Weathering the Windchill: How Does Wind Speed Affect Objects?

For Students 9th - 10th
With this science fair project measure the effect of wind speed on how quickly an object cools. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on...
Handout
USA Today

Usa Today: How a Low Pressure System Affects Weather

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the fronts and weather patterns associated with low pressure areas.
eBook
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: The 1991/1992 Drought

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research offers information on drought and global climate conditions, with an explanation of the trade winds.