2. Goal

Students will use knowledge of weather elements and tools to observe and compare local weather patterns.

3. Objective(s)

• Students will explain how the Earth's orbit around the Sun causes changes in seasons.
• Students will identify the weather patterns in the middle latitudes (temperate zone).
• Students will measure, record and graph outdoor air temperature daily within one hour of local solar noon.
• Students will use graphs to analyze data and make generalizations about trends in temperature.
• Students will telecommunicate a message to a distant location under teacher supervision.

4. New York State Learning Standards

• MST 1: Scientific Inquiry--explore phenomena through direct observation and through use of simple tools.
• MST 2: Information Systems--retrieve, process and communicate information to enhance learning.
• MST 4: Science (The Physical Setting)--describe patterns of daily, monthly, and seasonal changes in the environment.

• Computer with World Wide Web access to the Internet.
• Specific materials are identified in each activity.

Students, as weather watchers participating in an online collaborative weather project called National Sky Awareness Week, observe, measure, record and send information about the local weather to a central Web site via the Internet. Data from participating schools throughout the United States is posted on the site, therefore, providing opportunities to compare local weather patterns.

Participation in the online project requires daily observations/measurements of clouds, temperature, precipitation, and wind. The following activities prepare students to observe, measure, and record daily temperatures.

7. Presentation

In conjunction with a social studies unit on the Earth and it's weather, students study the relationship of the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the differences in seasonal patterns around the world. Characteristics of weather patterns in the polar, tropic, and temperate zones are identified to help students further a basic understanding of factors affecting seasonal changes in temperature.

8. Student Activities

• Determine local weather patterns by observing temperature on a daily basis.
• Design a chart for recording local and distant weather conditions. Graph data for analysis.
• Cross-reference locally-recorded measurements with Internet weather data sources.
• Identify seasonal temperature patterns among different regions of the world.
• Share local weather data with other schools across the country by joining an online collaborative project and creating a class Web page.

9. Assessment

• Monitor daily data collection and recording of information in science notebooks.
• Check for accurate graphing and interpretation of weather data.
• Review students' descriptions of seasonal weather patterns to include statements about the temperature, location, and geographical features.

10. Resources

• The GLOBE Program is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment.
• The Graph Club, educational software from Tom Snyder Productions, is an easy-to-use graphing tool which can be used for self-directed exploration, lessons and presentations, or creative class projects.
• NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's education site has been designed to help students, teachers, librarians and the general public access the many educational activities, publications, and booklets that have been produced.
• UM Weather provides access to thousands of forecasts, images, and a large collection of weather links.
• Find the Weather for any City, State or Zipcode, or Country at the Weather Underground.