Lesson Sequence | Weather Stations: Teaching Observation and Data Interpretation

In this unit, students will design an outdoor science station that can be used to measure and record weather data. Through engaging in this challenge, students will learn the skills and tools needed to measure, discuss, analyze, and communicate weather and weather patterns. In Section 1 of the unit, students are introduced to the vocabulary and tools of weather and weather investigation. Students will explore the concept of air as a substance and learn to identify common cloud types. This section is designed specifically to help build content vocabulary necessary for full participation in Sections 2 and 3. In Section 2 of the unit, students engage in the Design Thinking process as they work in teams to build a weather station that can be used to collect weather data at school. Their design challenge is to build a station that can be utilized by kindergarteners as well as by the fourth grade students. In Section 3, students will use the weather stations they created to conduct ongoing investigations into weather patterns. They will observe, record, and interpret weather data in science journals and conduct presentations on their analysis of the data collected.

Standards

Utah Core Standard 2
Students will understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns.

Objective 1
Observe, measure, and record the basic elements of weather.
a) Identify basic cloud types (i.e., cumulus, cirrus, stratus clouds).
b) Observe, measure, and record data on the basic elements of weather over a period of time (i.e., precipitation, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and air pressure).
c) Investigate evidence that air is a substance (e.g., takes up space, moves as wind, temperature can be measured).
d) Compare the components of severe weather phenomena to normal weather conditions (e.g., thunderstorm with lightning and high winds compared to rainstorm with rain showers and breezes).

Objective 2
Interpret recorded weather data for simple patterns.
a) Observe and record effects of air temperature on precipitation (e.g., below freezing results in snow, above freezing results in rain).
b) Graph recorded data to show daily and seasonal patterns in weather.
c) Infer relationships between wind and weather change (e.g., windy days often precede changes in the weather; south winds in Utah often precede a cold front
coming from the north).

Objective 3
Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.
a) Identify and use the tools of a meteorologist (e.g., measure rainfall using rain gauge, measure air pressure using barometer, measure temperature using a thermometer).
b) Describe how weather and forecasts affect people's lives.
c) Predict weather and justify prediction with observable evidence.
d) Evaluate the accuracy of student and professional weather forecasts.
e) Relate weather forecast accuracy to evidence or tools used to make the forecast (e.g., feels like rain vs. barometer is dropping).

Additional Standards Addressed: Many of the Utah Core speaking, listening and writing standards are addressed throughout the lessons and will vary depending on the extension activities you use.