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If Anyone Can, Icon
Students investigate the use of zip code/city searches to locate local weather forecasts. They design icons to be used on a classroom forecast poster.
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The Thermodynamics of Pizza
Students investigate the laws of thermodynamics. They observe demonstrations of each law, read a summary, and analyze how pizza demonstrates the laws of thermodynamics.
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The Weather
Fourth graders investigate how weather conditions and phenomena occur and how they can be predicted. They complete an internet search. Students create a weather fact sheet over a selected weather phenomenon.
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Lightning Safety
Students investigate how lightning is produced and ways they can keep themselves safe during a lightning storm. After a lecture/demo, students use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to reinforce the concepts taught.
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Newspaper Weather
Students use their knowledge of the weather to evaluate information from the newspaper. They also take this knowledge and construct a weather map predicting the next day's weather.
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Testing the Accuracy of a Rain Gauge
Students identify and test variables that may affect the accuracy of a rain gauge.
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Learning Lesson: Atmospheric Collisions
Students participate in a demonstration showing how rain drops grow by coalescence. They use ping pong balls and put them in an air stream. They end the lesson discussing flash flood safety.
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Precipitation
Fourth graders identify the conditions that create rain. They read and discuss weather records, and write a news article that includes factual information fom one of the listed weather records.
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Student Weather Journal
Students recognize different types of cloud patterns and associate these patterns with certain types of weather. They predict the weather for the next 6 to 24 hours. They then improve their observation skills as they check on the weather...
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Sun Spot Analysis
Students use Excel to graph monthly mean Greenwich sunspot numbers from 1749 to 2004. They perform a spectral analysis of the data using the free software program "Spectra". Short answer and thought questions related to the graphical...
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US Historical Climate: Excel Statistical
Learners import US Historical Climate Network mean temperature data into Excel from a station of their choice. They are guided through the activity on how to use Excel for statistical calculations, graphing, and linear trend estimates.
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The Drag of Drag
Students are introduced to drag. Then they summarize drag by saying that the drag is proportional to the square of the velocity. Students then solve problems an example of such a problem: Explain why swimming underwater is faster than...
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Crowley's Ridge: An Upland in the Lowlands
Young geographers examine how Crowley's Ridge was formed. This is one Arkansa's six natural geologic divisions. The history of Crowley's Ridge is important in that the first settlers of the state were attracted to this region, and it...
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Global Warming Statistics
Students research real-time and historic temperature data of U.S. and world locations, and analyze the data using mean, median, and mode averages. They graph the data and draw conclusions by analyzing the data. A spreadsheet is used to...
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Right Place, Right Time
Fourth graders complete mathematical word problems. They study the relationships among distance, speed, and time; and measure travel distances. They measure distances using a piece of string and a ruler and practice converting several...
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The Clouds Tell All
High schoolers examine the different types of clouds and how they form. They are to create their own weather forecast based on their observations of clouds in their area. Questions are asked for comprehension to end the lesson.
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Bank On It! Antarctica
In this vocabulary worksheet, students read an informational paragraph about Antarctica. Students then fill in the 17 blanks with words from the word bank.
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Building A Topographic Model
Students visualize, in three dimensions, features represented by contour lines on a topographic map. They see that the different elevations shown on a two dimensional topographic map can be used to build a 3-D model.
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Discovering the Physical Geography of Washington
Pupils develop a mental map of the state of Washington and draw it on paper. Using the Virtual Atlas, they identify the physical features of the state and draw them on their map. They also examine the populations and diversity of the...
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Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom
Students view a documentary on Thomas Jefferson. Statesman, scientist, architect, president-he was America's dashing Renaissance man. After viewing, students discuss what they saw then write their own version of a biography of Thomas...
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Water in the Texas Coastal Basins
Students, after researching a Texas coastal basin, map and graph the information they collect and then translate it into a short report to be presented to their classmates. They brainstorm unique ways to maintain Texas estuaries as well...
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Physics Rewind
Eighth graders differentiate speed and velocity. In this physics lesson, 8th graders explain Newton's laws of motion. They calculate speed using a mathematical formula.
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Mississippi’s Electricity: From Generation to Consumption
Eighth graders discover how electricity is produced. In this physics lesson, 8th graders infer about the future of Mississippi's energy industry. They participate in a Smart Board interactive activity at the end of the lesson.
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Weather Journal
Sixth graders write in a journal using weather observations as the focus, they develop writing techniques in addition to scientific observation skills.