Lesson Idea | Weather Forecasting: How Predictable!

Time Required: 45 minutes plus a two-minute daily weather forecast presentation by student teams.
Group Size: 2

Summary

Students follow weather forecasts to gauge their accuracy and produce a weather report for the class. They develop skills of observation, recording, and reporting.

This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Engineering Connection

Engineers must understand global and localized weather patterns for many reasons. Environmental engineers are concerned with weather because it indicates how and when a pollutant may travel. Mechanical, electrical, computer, and aerospace engineers must thoroughly understand weather when they design equipment and technology used outdoors or used to predict and measure weather, such as radar, satellites, storm sensors, and weather modeling software applications.

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:
- Learn how to prepare a weather report based on real-life weather forecasts.
- Apply skills in analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and explanation to their writing and speaking.
- Write and speak in the content areas using the technical vocabulary of the subject accurately.
- Use reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing skills to solve problems and answer questions.

Materials List

Paper and pencils

Worksheets and Attachments

Weather Watcher Worksheet (downloadable)

Introduction/Motivation

Everybody loves the occasional "snow day." But, can you trust the local weather service to deliver a nice blizzard on cue? Even though weather reporters would like to take credit for good weather and avoid blame for the not-so-good, all they can really do is try to report the weather as accurately as possible. Fortunately, they have advanced technology working for them, such as Doppler radar, satellite imagery and weather forecasting software programs.

With the advent of satellite imaging, Doppler radar and sophisticated weather modeling software, weather forecasting is becoming increasingly accurate. Jokes about the unpredictable nature of weather are still common — "If you don't like the weather around here, wait five minutes!" — but the local meteorologist is not quite as likely to take the blame. If it rains on your parade or picnic, that's probably because you didn't watch the latest weathercast.

In this activity, you are going to take a closer look at how the weather report is delivered in your area. You will keep a record to see how accurate the weather report is. At the same time, you will observe how the report is presented so you can produce a weather show for your class. In the process, you will become better acquainted with weather terminology and learn how the latest weather forecasting technology works.

Procedure

Background

During this activity, students gauge the accuracy of local weather reports for themselves, and at the same time observe the local weather presenter. The goal is to present their own weather report for the class. In the process, students become more familiar with weather terminology, learn about how weather forecasting technology works, and develop presentation skills.

If possible, videotape one or more evening weathercasts (4-6PM) and view in class, discussing how the weather is presented. Help the students identify the segments of the broadcast, noting the use of maps and symbols. Discuss the meaning of weather symbols and basic terminology used by the meteorologist. Critique the style of presentation. The objective is to prepare the students to produce their own weathercast.

Consider taking the students on a field trip to a local television station to see for themselves how a weather report is produced, and meet local weather personalities they have seen on TV.

For further information, please visit TeachEngineering website.