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  • Small-Scale Weather

    Book Chapter |

    The concepts covered so far that pertain to the Earth's weather will finally be applied in this chapter. A number of basic mechanisms that govern small-scale things such as cloud formation, rain, fog, dew point, and…

  • Large-Scale Weather

    Book Chapter |

    In the previous chapter, we dealt with how the properties of air and water affected small-scale weather such as the formation of clouds, the formation of fog, and how comfortable you feel at different times of the year…

  • Understanding Severe Weather Events

    Journal Article |

  • Weather and the Redistribution of Thermal Energy

    Book Chapter |

    The weather that we observe, like the variations in temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation, is a consequence of the atmosphere’s response to differences in its temperature. In response to these differences, the…

  • Weather’s Central Actor: Water

    Book Chapter |

    Water plays an important role in weather, not only as a liquid in rivers, lakes, oceans, and clouds, but also as a vapor in the atmosphere and as a solid in snow, glaciers, ice, and clouds. The total quantity of water…

  • The Inner Workings of Severe Weather

    Book Chapter |

    Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are three examples of weather that can be dangerous to society. Such severe weather patterns require an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for their development, as well…

  • Solar Activity and Space Weather

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter covers what phenomena we observe on the surface and in the atmosphere of the Sun, and how these influence what we observe and how we live our lives on Earth. Students learn about sunspots, the…

  • Solar Activity and Space Weather

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter only deals with the analysis of data as it relates to key phenomena on the Sun. It focuses on the sunspot cycle, space weather, and related concepts that are most accessible to middle school students. Only…

  • Are They Talking About Climate or Weather?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about climate. The probe is designed to find out whether students distinguish between weather and climate. It is important that students understand that…

  • What Is the Weather Like Today?

    Book Chapter |

    This activity focuses on observing and naming different kinds of weather. In the activity, children go outside to determine the weather. Back inside the classroom, their findings are recorded on a weather chart. The…

  • Ectotherm ER: Frogs Under the Weather

    Journal Article |

  • Lab 21: Forecasting Extreme Weather

    Book Chapter |

    In this lab investigation, students are introduced to the disciplinary core ideas of (a) Weather and Climate and (b) Natural Hazards as they determine when and under what conditions tornadoes tend to form in the…

  • Lab 15: Air Masses and Weather Conditions

    Book Chapter |

    In this lab investigation, students are introduced to the disciplinary core idea of Weather and Climate as they determine how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.…

  • Weather or Not? Should We Rebuild in Twisterville?

    Book Chapter |

    In this lesson, suggested for grades K-3, students are introduced to tornadoes through a picture book. They make observations using water-filled bottles that function as “Tornadoes in a Bottle” when they create a…

  • Does the Ocean Influence Our Weather or Climate?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the connection between the oceans and weather and climate. The probe is designed to reveal how students think the ocean influences atmospheric…

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